Weston in Space

Security sales and technical professionals today face numerous challenges: a global pandemic, the affects it has had on the economy, especially on businesses, and how consumers are still spending more time at home living and working. Missing calls from clients and prospects interested in discussing their security needs shouldn’t be one of challenges. Many security professionals have decided to switch to voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) systems from traditional phone landlines to run their offices more efficiently for a myriad of reasons: significant cost savings; the ability for them and their employees to work literally from anywhere while still using the office phone number; and the numerous features VoIP provides. This article is intended to help security professionals understand VoIP and to help determine if switching to a VoIP system is right for you. What are VoIP Phone Systems? VoIP phones, as the name implies, use the Internet to make and receive calls. Some service pro

In this week’s Top Surveillance Videos… We’ve learned many things over the years compiling surveillance videos each week — dogs are best, don’t mess with bears and arsonists aren’t always the brightest bulbs, just to name a few. Another lesson I would add is don’t mess with elderly people. If there was a “Justice League of the Elderly,” it would probably include this cowboy , this fearless fighter and this week’s star. Surveillance video out of Moscow shows a woman believed to be 70-years-old walking down the street when a man suddenly runs over and attempts to grab her handbag. Unfortunately for him, she refuses to let go. He drags her back and forth before her refusal to quit causes him to stumble and eventually flee empty-handed when a good samartian comes running over. According to police, the suspect said his friends dared him to pull things out of a pedestrian’s bag and escape. After fleeing, the suspect said he went to buy a bottle of whiskey before returning to the scene

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously passed the Secure Equipment Act of 2021 (S. 1790), which aims to restrict the deployment of telecommunications and video surveillance equipment manufactured by China-based companies that are considered a national security risk. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed its version of the bill (H.R. 3919) on Oct. 20. The bipartisan legislation will now head to President Biden’s desk to sign into law. The Secure Equipment Act would ban the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from considering or issuing authorization of products from companies on the agency’s “ Covered Equipment or Services ,” which includes  Dahua ,  Hikvision , Huawei, Hytera Technologies and ZTE Corp. In June, the FCC introduced proposed rulemaking that could go beyond what’s required in the Secure Equipment Act, allowing the agency to revoke previously issued authorizations to companies. The legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Sens. Mar

October saw its fair share of legal issues and acquisitions. This month, lawsuits involved home security companies, a gunshot detection provider and even a media company. Vivint Smart Home is seeking retribution for the lawsuit ADT filed against it last year that alleged Vivint salespeople go to ADT customers’ homes, get them to sign Vivint contracts and install the company’s alarm systems in their homes under false pretenses. Vivint had requested a motion to have that lawsuit dismissed, but when the judge denied the motion, Vivint launched a countersuit claiming it is in fact ADT that is deceiving and stealing its customers. Gunshot detection provider ShotSpotter filed a lawsuit against media company Vice, alleging it is profiting off of fabricated claims. Vice has been critical about ShotSpotter’s technology in a multitude of articles. Though not a lawsuit, Dahua and Hikvision continue to feel pressure from the U.S. government as it considers a new measure that would make it imp

Modern breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) have made security systems that once sounded like science fiction a reality. In particular, access control systems are no longer relegated to people scanning ID badges or typing in passcodes. Advancements in facial and fingerprint recognition offer security professionals multiple ways to authenticate people’s identities trying to enter a facility. However, even the most sophisticated access control systems are no match for poorly designed entry points. For example, many facilities still use standard swinging doors that someone with legitimate credentials can unlock and then hold open to allow any number of individuals to sneak through without being identified — a phenomenon known as piggybacking or tailgating. Organizations and businesses across industries have much to protect, including employees, intellectual property, equipment and data. Even if tailgating involves a polite person letting one or more colleagues who forgot thei

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — LenelS2 announces a strategic distribution agreement with BriefCam , a leading provider of video analytics software. The agreement enables LenelS2 value-added resellers to offer the BriefCam Video Content Analytics Platform with LenelS2 VRx and Milestone XProtect video management systems, as well as within LenelS2’s Magic Monitor unified client. The integrated solutions enhance situational awareness and provide actionable insights to security operators when viewing live video surveillance feeds and recorded video, and join the Carrier Healthy Buildings Program suite of offerings to help deliver healthier, safer, more efficient and productive indoor environments, according to the announcement. LenelS2 , a leader in advanced security systems and services, is a part of Carrier Global Corp., a leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions. The Magic Monitor unified security client is said to bring together ac

We left off last month with suggestions to attract and retain talent in a time when “poachers” are reaching in for your best talent. Your managers are the glue that hold and recruit talent with a career path based on your company culture. Remember, people often leave supervisors/managers and not companies if they don’t have a clear career path the opportunity to learn and contribute. The complaint I hear from clients most often is, “We train technicians for our competitors to poach.” I get it. You invest in their education with certifications; however, my argument is, have you created a culture that provides additional growth in their careers, responsibilities and roles? This requires some strategic business thinking. What should your goal be in making this decision? Think in terms of a chess game, which is strategic by its definition. Technicians are often trained, certified and competent in narrow and diverse product lines. This can happen as companies take on “we are everything

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Viakoo, a leader in IoT device remediation, announces it has secured $10 million in Series A funding led by Shasta Ventures, joining existing investors Stanley Black & Decker, PivotNorth Capital and BlueFog Capital. This latest round will be used to expand executive leadership, and investment in product development and go-to-market. The company is also launching its Viakoo Action Platform suite of cyber modules, which remediate and repatriate IoT devices, meeting the growing demand for enterprise IoT device management and vulnerability remediation at scale, according to the company. “With support from our investors, Viakoo is entering its next chapter of growth to achieve its vision of helping customers defend their IoT attack surfaces across the enterprise,” says Bud Broomhead, CEO, Viakoo. “We’ve already gained significant traction with large-scale customers, including cities, healthcare, education and large data centers. With our latest investment, we

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. — SSI parent company Emerald Holding (NYSE: EEX ) announces an agreement to acquire AV-iQ, effective Nov. 1. AV-iQ provides a central database to serve the commercial A/V community with a platform for integrators and end users to research, plan and connect with A/V brands and their channel partners. Ray Lyons, vice president and publisher of Emerald’s Connected Brands Group, states, “We started down the path of a partnership , but as we explored the opportunity more it became apparent that the benefits for each brand and the respective channels were greater if we were working with our combined internal teams and other resources.” Related: How Integrators Can Provide Value to Hoteliers Via Technology The acquisition further expands Emerald’s commitment to the A/V market, adding a new resource to the current portfolio that includes Commercial Integrator , TechDecisions, CE Pro , Designwell, CEDIA and Total Tech Summit. Work is in progress to launch

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Nortek Control has appointed Dan Emmons as regional sales manager for the 2GIG , ELAN, Proficient, SpeakerCraft, Panamax and Numera brands in its central U.S. region. Emmons has responsibility for expanding and managing sales opportunities in the North Texas area helping dealers, integrators and distributors select the best security and connected home solutions for their customers. He brings more than 12 years’ experience to Nortek Control with substantial knowledge of the home security industry and the latest products and technologies, according to an announcement. Prior to joining Nortek Control , Emmons held a business development manager position at Brink’s Home Security where he was awarded the company’s Partner Manager of the Year in 2018 and 2019. His experience also includes a position with Talus Payments as a territory sales manager responsible for business-to-business financial management. Related: Nortek Control and Alarm.com Introduce 2GIG New Home

FISHERS, Ind. — 3xLOGIC, a provider of integrated, intelligent security solutions, announces the availability of its All-in-One Functionality, now available in its serverless camera bundle, indoor cube camera and 56° thermal camera offerings. All-in-One cameras feature onboard storage and, with the purchase of appropriate licensing, allow the camera to function as a standalone VIGIL Server. The cameras can also be used in conjunction with a VIGIL DVR for redundant storage capability. As a standalone camera, All-in-One models are compatible with the entire VIGIL Software Suite, including direct access through VIGIL Client and mobile app, View Lite II, as well as with VIGIL Central Management for remote health monitoring and notification. “As dealers and customers look for more ways to balance and optimize video delivery and video verification, the need for camera-based edge storage and remote accessibility has increased,” says Bill Hobbs, VP of global sales. “The new All-in-One feat

TORONTO — Invixium, a manufacturer of touchless biometrics, is broadening its offerings through IXM Mobile, a smartphone app with features designed for healthy access. The new mobile platform extends the company’s flagship solution, IXM Titan, and enterprise-grade software, IXM Web. The mobile app is said to provide end users with new features to enhance their biometric security system for staff and visitors. As the pandemic evolves, enterprises continue to invest in long-term solutions to satisfy the needs of staff and visitors and persisting government guidance for mask-wearing and temperature screening. IXM Titan with Enhancement Kit is Invixium’s flagship biometric reader and the center of its COVID-19 solution, which delivers simultaneous face recognition and elevated body temperature detection at the medial canthus (tear duct). The launch of IXM Mobile marks the next step in the company’s forward-thinking strategy to create modern solutions that solve real-world problems, ac

In the past several years, we’ve seen a shift not only in the types of available business and financial management solutions, but also in the way companies are implementing solutions to meet their specific needs. From increasing revenue to reducing labor costs, a strategically implemented solution can make a huge impact on your bottom line. Business and financial management solutions have changed the way security companies do business —for the better. The solutions themselves have evolved in response to need and performance demands. With a thorough evaluation of business needs and a better understanding of the value these solutions bring, it may be time for a change. Let’s dive in. 3 Significant Shifts 1. Solutions Are More Purpose-Built and Custom: When it comes to business management, a customized, purpose-built solution designed specifically for your vertical is far more likely to embody the voice of the customer. This is something you won’t get from a more general solution. By

NEW YORK — Artificial intelligence (AI)-based facial recognition startup AnyVision announces that the company will change its name to Oosto. The new name is said to reflect the company’s evolution and vision for the future which is shaped, in part, by a new collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) CyLab Biometric Research Center. The CMU partnership will focus on early-stage research in object, body and behavior recognition. “Historically, the company has focused on security-related use cases for our watchlist alerting and touchless access control solutions. With the launch of Oosto, we’re looking beyond the lens of security to include ways our solutions can positively impact an organization’s safety, productivity and customer experience,” says Oosto CEO Avi Golan. AnyVision pioneered Vision AI to automate watchlist alerting, identifying security risks as well as valuable customers in real-time to personalize customer experiences and enhance physical security, according

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate is set to consider a measure that would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise its equipment authorization process to end the review and approval of equipment and devices made by Chinese companies that are deemed a national security threat. A version ( H.R. 3919 ) of the bipartisan legislation, the Secure Equipment Act of 2021, passed overwhelmingly (420-4) in the House of Representatives on Oct. 20. The FCC was required by the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to detail which companies it believes to pose a severe threat to U.S. safety. The China-based manufacturers cited in the agency’s “ Covered Equipment or Services ” list include Dahua , Hikvision , Huawei, Hytera Technologies and ZTE Corp. The legislation, which has been introduced in the Senate by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.), aims to bolster the nation’s ability to prevent companies named in the Covered List from gaining f

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Alarm Lock, a division of  NAPCO Security Technologies , announces it recently awarded David Nolan of R.J. Lock & Security the winning prize from its “Number Ones Trilogy T2 Contest.” Named to play-off the popularity of Alarm Lock’s #1 Pushbutton Access Locks in their class & the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle #1 status in theirs, the contest ran thru June, the company says. Nolan was chosen out of all the locking professionals that registered each purchase of a T2 Series DL2700/DL2800 Trilogy lock from a participating distributor nationwide. On Oct. 19th, Peter Lowenstein, Alarm Lock VP of sales, presented Nolan with his new Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle at his local Rommel Harley-Davidson in Smyrna, Del.. Related: Alarm Lock Debuts AirAccess, an Access Control System as a Service Nolan said, “We’ve been using Alarm Lock Trilogy locks at R.J. Lock & Security for 25 years. I was shocked when I received the call that I won the contest. I’ve be