National Security Inspectorate makes final preparations for The Security Event 2022

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is in the process of making final preparations for The Security Event, which takes place from 5-7 April at the NEC in Birmingham. The specialist certification body for the security and fire safety sectors will be sharing important updates on industry standards with professional installers and integrators and also taking the opportunity to discuss specific queries on a one-to-one basis on Stand L20 in Hall 3.

Installers are invited to visit the NSI’s stand and spend some time learning how more than 2,000 companies across the UK are benefiting from the NSI serving as their not-for-profit, specialist certification body, helping them to improve their business’ performance.

Advisors will be on hand to explain the straightforward application process, costs and timescales.

NSI approved companies and invited guests attending the show on Tuesday 5 April will also be attending a private drinks reception taking place at 3.30 pm.

Matthew Holliday, the NSI’s director of approval schemes, and John Davidson (approval schemes manager for systems), will both be presenting in the Fire and Security Installer Theatre. Holliday will talk about ‘BS 8418:2021 for Detector-Activated Surveillance Systems – The Game Changer For Police Response’ (Tuesday 5 April at 2.00 pm) and ‘Cyber Security: Are Security Systems Affected?’ (Wednesday 6 April at 11.15 am).

John Davidson will be talking about ‘Fire Risk Assessments and Evacuation Alert Systems – A Certification Body’s Perspective on Demonstrating Competence’ (Thursday 7 April at noon). 

Holliday will also be participating in the opening panel session in The Security in Practice Theatre at 10.30 am on Tuesday 5 April, with the subject matter being ‘The State of the Industry: What are Today’s and Tomorrow’s Priorities?’

Continual improvement

NSI CEO Richard Jenkins commented: “Continual improvement is one of the most effective ways in which to raise standards within the security sector and we look forward to sharing knowledge and expertise at The Security Event in Birmingham. It promises to be a lively and informative three days for UK installers, showcasing the latest technologies, products, services and insights. Our own presentations have been carefully considered to give installers the latest information on topical subjects. We very much look forward to meeting industry contacts old and new.”

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*Find out more about The Security Event and co-located events

The NSI’s reach spans the four nations of the UK and Eire. It counts premium local providers as well as the UK’s premier security and fire safety providers among its clients.

The organisation delivers a robust and continuous audit regime of approved companies through a dedicated team of in-house experts to verify compliance with relevant British and European Standards, Codes of Practice and certification schemes developed by industry bodies and associations.

End users who choose to contract with NSI approved companies can be assured of security and fire safety services that will be delivered to the highest standards by businesses committed to quality and continual improvement. 

Advanced receives coveted Safety and Health Excellence Award from BSIF for quality of customer service

Global fire safety systems developer Advanced has been awarded the Highly Commended for Service Excellence trophy at the annual Safety and Health Excellence (SHE) Awards 2018, recently held at the NEC in Birmingham.

The company received the commendation in the British Service Industry Federation (BSIF) Customer Service Award category on the back of its technical support and Advanced 360. This online portal gives customers free access (during the lifetime of their products) to a range of services including training, technical manuals and sales and marketing support.

Paul Duffy, technical support manager at Advanced who accepted the award, said: “To receive the Highly Commended Award for Service Excellence is a huge achievement and great recognition for the work of our customer services team. We’re committed to making it as easy as possible for our customers to gain the support and information they need when they need it. Advanced 360 helps in achieving this and is constantly evolving to meet our customers’ needs.”

The SHE Awards were organised by Western Business Exhibitions in conjunction with the BSIF. The BSIF Customer Service Award recognises companies operating in the fields of Health and Safety which offer exceptional and innovative service solutions. Winners were chosen based on the number of votes cast by customers who were asked to rate their suppliers’ service quality.

Paul Duffy

Advanced develops and manufactures intelligent fire safety systems, from single panel installations through to large, multi-site networks. Products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management solutions.

Olympic Games fencing supplier Zaun called in to protect London Underground construction project

London Underground has once again turned to high-security fencing systems supplier Zaun to protect one of its sites during important construction works.

Zaun has supplied MultiFence – a temporary, high-security fencing and gate system it developed specifically for the London 2012 Games – to help safeguard the £1 billion upgrade of Tottenham Court Road London Underground station.

MultiFence was used previously as hoardings to provide access while protecting construction works at nearby St Paul’s station, at Kings Cross station and also at the famous Bull Ring complex in central Birmingham.

Zaun became synonymous with temporary security fencing when it installed the 20 km boundary to the main Olympic Park, which included some intriguing 7.5 metre-high parapet fencing alongside the adjacent railway line, with a further 1.5 km of fencing providing a ‘ring-within-a-ring’ around the Olympic Stadium itself.

Crossrail and Transport for London are jointly redeveloping the existing 100 years-old tube station at Tottenham Court Road and building a new station, which is expected to be completed by 2016-2017.

The work is at the intersection of Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road and Tottenham Court Road. The existing London Underground station handles 150,000 passengers per day, a figure forecast to increase to 200,000 per day when Crossrail comes on stream.

Key journey times will be reduced from Tottenham Court Road station to other stations including Canary Wharf (from 21 minutes down to 12 minutes), Ealing Broadway (27 minutes to 12 minutes) and Heathrow (53 minutes to 28 minutes).

The new, four-storey station will feature a Ticket Hall at Dean Street, three new station entrances, step-free access, additional escalators to access Northern Line platforms, a public piazza, access to the Northern and Central Line platforms and a western station box.

NSI Installer Summit seminars focus on business solutions advice

The National Security Inspectorate’s (NSI) second Installer Summit was held in Manchester on Thursday 20 November and proved to be a major success, with over 100 delegates and 35 exhibitors in attendance. Brian Sims reports.

The NSI Installer Summit took place at the Worsley Park Marriott Hotel and showcased contributions from a wide array of top security brands, industry experts and business solutions providers, in turn offering delegates a perfect platform from which to learn about the latest innovations within the industry – including new products and solutions, equipment and tools – and, of course, the latest news from the NSI.

The Installer Summit’s programme of bite-sized seminar sessions delivered by industry experts included a focus on the importance of integrity and performance through the buying chain (presented by Simon Banks of CSL DualCom), the value apprenticeships can bring to a business (described by Kings Security’s Anthony King), Google marketing (courtesy of Clinton Porter from NVisage), employment law tips and advice (discussed by Citation’s Louise Lockett), funding for capital growth (Rob Donaldson of Baker Tilly) and the myths of cloud security (Steve Riley of RISCO Group).

In addition, there was a timely update from ACPO on the reduction of false alarms due to improving technology.

The next NSI Installer Summit takes place in Birmingham next March

Speaking about the first NSI Installer Summit to take place in the North West, the NSI’s CEO Richard Jenkins commented: “Following the success of the first NSI Installer Summit in Birmingham last March, we listened to our installers and brought the event to Manchester. The NSI Installer Summit is a truly unique event for our approved companies, providing them with the opportunity to network, see at first hand the latest products from the leading manufacturers, hear from NSI technical experts about developments in standards and be given solutions advice from a number of business-related specialists.”

Jenkins continued: “We believe the Installer Summit adds real value to ‘The NSI Community’, ensuring that NSI approved installers are well informed about developments that impact their industry and their businesses. Given the exceptionally positive feedback we’ve received from both events, we’re delighted to announce that our next Installer Summit will take place in Birmingham on Tuesday 10 March 2015.”

*View a selection of photos from the day via the NSI’s Pinterest site at: http://www.pinterest.com/nsi1/nsi-installer-summit-manchester/

**Download the presentations: http://www.nsi.org.uk/information-centre/nsi-events/nsi-installer-summit-manchester-2014/nsi-installer-summit-manchester-programme/

***If you’re interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the next NSI Installer Summit (which takes place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 10 March 2015, please contact the NSI via e-mail at: exhibit@nsi.org.uk or telephone 01628 764843. Delegate registration for this event will be launched in the New Year

NICE Systems set to showcase integrated security portfolio at IFSEC International 2013

Sessions and demonstrations will highlight NICE Systems’ situation management solutions, including the newly-launched Situator Express for NiceVision

Hall 4 Stand G111 at the NEC, Birmingham from May 13-16 is the place to be as NICE Systems will also demonstrate its newly-launched Situator Express solution while company experts will lead a number of sessions.

NICE Systems has also been shortlisted as an IFSEC and FIREX Awards finalist in the category of Security Project or Installation of the Year. This is based on the successful NICE Situator installation at Network Rail’s King’s Cross Station in 2012.

Enrico Montagnino, Sales Manager for Public Safety at NICE, and Brendan O’Keeffe of Fourway, the systems integrator for the King’s Cross project, will talk about this installation from the customer’s perspective in a presentation taking place in the Intelligent Buildings Theatre on 15 May at 2.15 pm.

Jamie Wilson of NICE Systems

Also part of the IFSEC Academy education programme, Jamie Wilson (Security Marketing Manager, EMEA at NICE Systems) will talk about ‘PSIM: Key Trends Driving Development’ and cover the anticipated evolution of PSIM to address new challenges and the emerging needs of organisations and agencies when it comes to managing unanticipated crises.

Jamie’s presentation will take place on 14 May at 12.30 pm in the Centre Stage Theatre, and will be followed by the ‘Soundbites from our Bloggers’ session at 3.30 pm where a selection of regular bloggers who write for IFSECGlobal.com will join forces to discuss their latest spheres of interest.

Key features for NICE Systems at IFSEC International

Among the NICE Systems solutions and product enhancements to be featured at the show are:

• Situator Express – This easy-to-deploy, cost-effective solution transforms NiceVision IP video surveillance into a complete security management solution. It provides a unified, holistic operating picture for security management by fusing NiceVision Net video with data from other security systems, including CCTV, access control, intrusion and fire detection.

• NICE Situator – NICE Systems will demonstrate the latest enhancements and capabilities that are empowering airports and public transit organisations, such as London’s King’s Cross transport hub, as well as financial institutions, critical facilities and cities to secure people and leverage their most important business assets.

• NiceVision Net – Its enhanced Web application allows users to easily share and export video to removable media and simultaneously play back multiple video channels.

• NICE Inform – Using this solution, security organisations can consolidate multimedia incident information from both private and public sources in order to form a complete picture of a particular incident for investigation, debriefing and training purposes.

• Citer360 – This solution harvests relevant information from the Internet and social networks for Intelligence, law enforcement and commercial uses.

NICE Systems’ security solutions help organisations capture, analyse and leverage Big Data to anticipate, manage and mitigate security and safety risks, improve operations and make the world a safer place.

The NICE security, intelligence and cyber offerings provide valuable insights that enable enterprises and Governments to take the best action at the right time by correlating structured and unstructured data from multiple sensors and channels, detecting irregular patterns and recognising trends.

NICE Security solutions are used by thousands of customers worldwide, including transportation systems, critical infrastructure, city centres, banks, enterprises and Government agencies.

ONVIF set to showcase achievements at first-ever dedicated IFSEC International stand

ONVIF, the global standardisation initiative for IP-based physical security products, has unveiled plans for its first-ever stand at IFSEC International, the commercial and Government security show and conference programme which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from 13-16 May.

On display in Hall 4 on Stand D140 will be a range of technologies from different ONVIF member companies demonstrating the interoperability of their products using the ONVIF specification.

ONVIF’s Profile S for video and audio streaming will be a major focus of the demonstrations. Of the 3,300 ONVIF-conformant products on the market today from its more than 440 member companies, nearly 1,300 are conformant with Profile S.

Profile S describes the common functionalities shared by ONVIF-conformant video management systems and devices such as IP cameras or encoders that send, configure, request or control the streaming of media data over an IP network.

ONVIF introduced the profile concept to enable end users to more easily identify features supported by a profile without determining the compatibility between versions of the ONVIF specifications.

Showcasing the dynamics of IP interoperability standards

“As our conformant product total continues to rise, and ONVIF prepares to go online with its second profile, we felt it was time to showcase the dynamics of these IP interoperability standards, not just at a one-time networking event but throughout the course of IFSEC,” said Per Björkdahl, chairman of ONVIF’s Steering Committee.

“ONVIF has continued to achieve major milestones in the five years it has been in existence, and what better way to demonstrate that than through the visuals our stand has to offer.”

ONVIF members including Sony, Pelco, Bosch and Anixter will make 15-minute presentations in the ONVIF Theatre throughout the four-day event. The on-stand activities include a proof-of-concept demonstration for the soon-to-be-released Profile G for recording and storage facilities.

There will also be an exhibit at the stand showcasing ONVIF’s historical milestones since its inception in October 2008, including the release of Version 2.0 of the ONVIF Core Specification in 2010 and the introduction of Profile S last year.

Further information about ONVIF-conformant products, including the vendors and the conformant models, is available on ONVIF’s website: http://www.onvif.org