VideoEdge NVR: a better way to focus on video surveillance

American Dynamics (part of the Security Products business unit of Tyco), has released version 4.5 of its powerful, high-performance VideoEdge NVR. New features provide customers with more secure and efficient systems for businesses requiring an active surveillance environment.

VideoEdge Network Video Recorder (NVR) adds a new level of ease and efficiency for surveillance operators. With features such as Auto Discovery, users can locate cameras on the network and assign IP addresses to any VideoEdge NVR with the click of a button.

“The changing landscape for surveillance is dictating a new list of ‘must-haves’,” said Steve Carney, director of video product line management for Tyco Security Products. “This latest version of VideoEdge responds to those security-critical situations with effective, reliable and intuitive tools.”

Carney added: “We’re focused on providing the unique features required by customers who rely on their surveillance systems for fast, real-time incident response.”

Such customers include security managers in retail environments who are looking for solutions to theft as well as data that helps them better understand customer behaviour.

VideoEdge NVRs now boast new features

VideoEdge provides both. Its powerful Heat Mapping tool means that retailers may spot where customers are lingering – important information that lets retail marketers see where the hot items are, or where they may need additional promotional displays.

This feature is also very useful in other vertical markets such as sports and entertainment, healthcare and other venues for tracking foot traffic patterns, thus ensuring visitors are receiving adequate assistance.

Inclusion of a new Watermarking process

The latest version of VideoEdge also includes a new Watermarking process that allows security officials to assign a unique visual mark to the video that’s specific to its business. This maintains the integrity of recorded video and protects the owner from fraudulent use of the video.

The victor Unified Client helps end users manage all of their live and recorded video from VideoEdge, exacqVision, Intellex and ADTVR video recording solutions from one intuitive interface. victor is part of a powerful NVMS that includes advanced policy management, health monitoring, Smart Search, instant playback and more, ensuring the security and safety of the entire organisation whether a single site or a multi-location, globally dispersed enterprise.

For those enterprise customers who use Software House C•CURE 9000, victor Enterprise provides unification for SAS (satellite application server) and MAS (master application server). Deploying victor and C•CURE 9000 software at the same time and into the same IP system has never been easier.

For those customers at smaller sites, victor Express has been designed to eliminate the need for an SQL database, thus simplifying and saving on installation time.

The VideoEdge NVMS and victor Unified Client are available through American Dynamics’ worldwide channel partners.

Elmdene powers ahead at IFSEC International 2014

Electronic fire and security products manufacturer Elmdene International (a subsidiary of Potter Electric Signal, LLC) used IFSEC International 2014 (which ran from 17-19 June at London ExCeL) to unveil a record number of new product lines – from highly efficient switch mode power PSUs (Power Supply Units) for intruder alarm and fire applications through to an EN54-23:2010-compliant Fire Alarm Beacon and the groundbreaking ‘Flexi-Bell’ modular siren.

The company (which on first assessment has seen a surge in footfall year-on-year) significantly increased its profile for the 2014 exhibition by exhibiting its latest solutions on stand as part of a large-scale Harmony Village also featuring other Harmony Alliance members GJD, Texecom and TDSi.

Looking in more detail at the solutions showcased by Elmdene at IFSEC International, leading the way was an EN54-23:2010-compliant, ceiling-mounted Fire Alarm Beacon. This is an indoor ‘Type A’ VAD (Visual Alarm Device) which is built around low power consumption LED technology.

Crucially, Elmdene reports that the product has already completed a rigorous testing process to secure a certificate of approval from the LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board).

Elmdene’s stand at IFSEC International 2014

Another new concept for which Elmdene has high hopes is the company’s aptly-named ‘Flexi-Bell’ modular siren which is available in Grade 2 and Grade 3 versions. According to Elmdene, what makes this external sounder stand out from competing solutions on the market is its ability to use one common backplate with simple ‘snap in’ clips to accommodate all of Elmdene’s sounder covers: Vertec, HS and Quartz.

This not only minimises the stock that distributors need to hold but opens up the potential for customers to have their own bespoke covers in terms of shape and colour.

Switch mode PSUs for intruder alarm applications

Other industry-leading products that made their UK debut during the show included a number of new models in the GEN2 and GEN3 ranges of 12V switch mode PSUs for intruder alarm applications. The latest additions have been developed to satisfy the requirements of Grade 2 and Grade 3 under PD6662:2010 and EN50131-6:2008.

Also previewed by Elmdene at IFSEC International 2014 were the company’s cost-effective STX fire power supply units. The roll-out of the latest additions to the STX range (1A, 2A, 5A and 10A) reflects the soaring demand that Elmdene is seeing for fire-specific power supplies that satisfy the EN54-4:1997 standard.

In addition to new product launches, Elmdene once again highlighted the virtues of its ever-expanding family of switch mode PSUs, with sales proving particularly strong where CCTV applications are involved. When deployed, switch mode models offer typical efficiency levels of 80-87% and, correspondingly, lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint when compared to more conventional linear alternatives.

Given that they run significantly cooler, switch mode PSUs support enhanced reliability as well as being better equipped to cope with mains input voltage fluctuations.

Beyond this, Elmdene spotlighted the importance of Power over Ethernet (PoE) standby devices. The company has already developed two types of power supplies to bridge what it views as a worrying capability gap across security, access control and information technology applications.

Elmdene’s leadership in this field was underlined as a finalist in Benchmark magazine’s Innovation Awards 2014 (which ran in parallel to the show), with its POE1230-C model singled out for praise in the ‘Infrastructure’ category.

The POE1230-C is a PoE powered PSU (Power Supply Unit) that incorporates a battery back-up capability. Power is supplied from a 50W PoE injector to deliver 12V DC at 1.5A output.

IFSEC International 2014 “exceeded all expectations”

Commenting on Elmdene’s attendance at IFSEC 2014, Ian Moore (the company’s managing director) said: “IFSEC 2014 has exceeded all of our expectations. In fact, it has proven to be the most successful show for us yet in terms of the quality of leads and footfall. We had a much bigger, more prominent stand this time around and, thanks to our strong R&D base, an unprecedented number of product innovations, whether you are talking about PSUs or our EN54-23:2010-compliant Fire Alarm Beacon.”

Ian Moore: managing director at Elmdene International

Moore continued: “Co-locating with other members of the Harmony Alliance represented a major advance for us in the context of IFSEC. Undoubtedly, the benefit of being part of the Harmony Alliance is the way in which it’s focused on pulling together complementary expertise from all of our specialist fields to deliver Best of Breed integrated solutions, most notably at the project level.”

In addition, Moore explained: “The managing directors of the Harmony Alliance member companies took part in a thought-provoking panel discussion around the subject of integrated security during the first day of the show. On a lighter note, we were delighted to play host to over 300 Harmony Alliance customers at an invitation-only party held on a barge near London’s ExCel to help celebrate the success of the Alliance.”

Follow Elmdene on YouTube and Twitter

For more information on Elmdene’s solutions, which are available through the usual distribution channels, telephone: +44(0)23 9269 6638, e-mail: sales@elmdene.co.uk or log onto http://www.elmdene.co.uk

Elmdene has a YouTube Channel which can be found at http://www.youtube.com/ElmdeneInternational and you can also follow the company on Twitter at twitter.com/ElmdeneIntLtd

Further information on the Harmony Alliance is available at: http://www.harmony-alliance.com

Security Institute members dominate IFSEC International ‘Top 40 Influencers’ table

The much anticipated list of Top 40 influencers in the security sector was announced at IFSEC International 2014, with over 30% of those included being Security Institute members.

The 40-strong list was compiled by http://www.IFSECGlobal.com to determine the most influential people in the global security sector. The eventual winners were all noted for the significant contributions they have made to their respective sectors.

The Security Institute is extremely proud of the 13 members who found a place in the final listing. All of them have made a significant personal contributions for the benefit of those working in security, in some cases over many years.

MITIE TSM’s md Bob Forsyth

Three of the Top Ten are members. This year’s Number One (Bob Forsyth, managing director at MITIE Total Security Management) is a member while The Security Institute’s chairman Emma Shaw CSyP finished second in the list.

The full list of Security Institute members included in the Top 40 is as follows:

• Bob Forsyth MSyI (managing director, MITIE Total Security Management)
• Emma Shaw MBA CSyP FSyl FCMI (chairman, The Security Institute and managing director, Esoteric)
• Mike Gillespie MSyI (director of cyber development, The Security Institute and managing director, Advent IM)
• Professor Martin Gill FSyI (director, Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International)
• Andy Williams FSyI CPP (head of security, Nomura and chairman, ASIS UK Chapter 208)
• Peter French MBE FSyI (managing director, SSR Personnel)
• James Willison MSyI (founder, Unified Security and vice-chairman, ASIS International European Convergence/Enterprise Security Risk Management Sub-Committee)
• Simon Whitehouse CSyP MSyI CPP PSP MIET MASC MIAPSC (group director, SGW Consulting Group)
• Dr Mark Button FSyI (professor of criminology, University of Portsmouth)
• Don Randall MBE FSyI (CISO, Bank of England)
• Richard Bell FSyI (commercial director, The Security Institute, strategic security planning and audit manager, Transport for London and Board advisor, Ten Intelligence)
• Tom Lapage-Norris MSyI (security manager – EMEA, Google)
• Allan Hildage FSyI (chairman, Association of Security Consultants and CEO, Griffin Security Group)

Commenting on the list, The Security Institute’s managing director David Thorp said: “We congratulate all of these members on the incredible contribution they make to the security sector, and on receiving this recognition from their peers via http://www.IFSECGlobal.com”

Thorp added: “The fact that almost one third of the Top 40 are members of The Security Institute underlines why we are the number one membership organisation for security professionals in the UK. It’s great to see that Chartered Security Professionals are also represented, in turn demonstrating that ‘The Gold Standard’ for security professionalism continues to make its mark.”

About The Security Institute

The Security Institute is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1999 for the benefit of individuals working in the security sector.

The organisation promotes the art and science of security management and works to drive standards, educate and Best Practice across the security sector (a sector responsible for the safety of much of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure).

The Institute is responsible for managing and operating the Register of Chartered Security Professionals on behalf of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals. In conjunction with the Registration Authority, The Security Institute sets standards, provides quality control, appointment and management of licensees and admitted registrants.

Since the launch of the Register, The Security Institute has processed over 100 applications. There are currently 71 Chartered Security Professionals.

About The Register of Chartered Security Professionals

The Register of Chartered Security Professionals was launched on 7 June 2011. Established under Royal Charter by The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, the Register itself endorses the main aim of the Company which is “to promote, support and encourage standards of excellence, integrity and honourable practice in conducting the profession of security practitioners, and to aid societies and other organisations connected to such profession.”

Security Industry Authority News: ‘Security directors disqualified for six years’

On Thursday 19 June 2014 at the Old Bailey, two security directors were disqualified from acting as company directors for a total of six years.

John Anah (aged 56) and 54-year-old Tony O’Gonna ran three security companies: Anco UK Limited, AA Guarding Limited and Metro Guards UK Limited, all of them based in Woolwich.

In December 2012, the companies came to the attention of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) when an unlicensed security officer was found working at a building site in London. SIA investigator then issued a formal warning to Anco UK Limited.

Two security directors have been disqualified from acting as company directors for a total of six years

A few weeks later, SIA investigators conducted an inspection of the business premises in Woolwich and discovered the true scale of the illegal activity.

It was found that, between August 2012 and July 2013, the companies supplied 33 unlicensed security officers to ten different building sites around London.

Hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court: October 2013

In October 2013 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Anah and the three security companies pleaded guilty to ten charges of supplying unlicensed security operatives contrary to Section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. O’Gonna pleaded not guilty to the same offence.

In March 2014, O’Gonna was found guilty at the City of London Magistrates’ Court. During the trial the magistrate rejected O’Gonna’s claims that he entrusted Anah with the operational side of the business and that he never consented to the supply of unlicensed security officers.

The sentencing was referred to Crown Court.

Anah was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from acting as a director for four years. O’Gonna was disqualified from acting as a security director for two years.

Additionally, the SIA and the London Regional Asset Recovery Team have commenced legal proceedings against the two individuals and their security companies under the Proceeds of Crime Act. It’s expected that fines will follow the conclusion of the confiscation proceedings.

The hearing is due to take place later this year.

Complex and challenging investigation

The SIA’s Head of Investigation Nathan Salmon said: “I welcome this verdict, which brings to a close a complex and challenging investigation. The defendants provided misinformation to the SIA in order to distance themselves from the offending. Some of these security officers had neither been trained nor properly vetted to recognised national standards. In one instance, an officer had actually been refused an SIA licence due to convictions relating to common assault and disorderly behaviour. The court also heard that some security officers did not have a legitimate right to reside or work in the UK.”

Salmon added: “The verdicts comprehensively discredit the directors’ version of events and their inability to effectively operate a security business. The directors now face the prospect of another court challenge, this time regarding the money they made as a result of their illegal business practice. We will seek appropriate confiscation of the monies earned during contracts where unlicensed security officers were supplied.”

In conclusion, Salmon stated: “I would like to offer our thanks to everyone who supported the investigation and prosecution of this case.”