BSIA security systems guide published to help education sector officials ‘raise the alarm’

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has issued a free guide to aid key decision-makers within the education sector when it comes to understanding the benefits of installing intruder alarms and other security systems in order to safeguard schools.

Schools and other educational establishments face a number of security threats year round, including vandalism, arson attack and trespassers. As such, school officials have a Duty of Care to ensure that staff and student welfare is always a top priority, as well as a requirement to protect high value goods like IT equipment, personal possessions and confidential personal and financial data.

“It’s essential that key decision-makers are taking security seriously and making the necessary arrangements to protect their premises from both internal and external threats,” explained Martin Harvey, chairman of the BSIA’s Security Systems Section. “The installation of high quality intruder alarms and their integration with other security systems, such as access control and CCTV, can provide vital peace of mind that the site is being protected both in and out of school hours. With such a wide variety of products on the market, as a BSIA Section we felt it was necessary to create a helpful and concise guide to inform decision-makers of the benefits of different security systems.”

Earlier this year, the BSIA surveyed members of its Security Systems Section in order to discover their involvement in securing the education sector over the previous year. While 50% of respondents felt that the use of private security measures in the education sector had increased over the previous 12 months, 67% anticipated them increasing over the next 12 months. 67% of respondents also felt that awareness of safety and security among education professionals had remained the same in the previous year.

The new guide endeavours to highlight the benefits of installing intruder alarms and other security systems, showcasing their effectiveness in not only responding to known threats, but also in deterring criminal activity.

Recently, the BSIA also commissioned a White Paper entitled ‘The (Real) Price of Security Solutions’ on the challenges of buying and selling high quality security solutions. The document aims to explore the price versus quality debate from the perspectives of both buyers and sellers of security solutions in order to identify the relative advantages and disadvantages between low-priced and high quality solutions.

The main findings of the White Paper clearly suggest that end users would find it far more beneficial to consider and deploy high quality security solutions. In terms of intruder alarms, a high quality solution would be one that meets with all the necessary requirements to ensure an effective police response.

“There are many standards that intruder alarm systems and their installers must meet in order to ensure that good quality products and services are available for end users,” explained Harvey. “The new guide serves to highlight the essential standards with which systems should comply in order to make them truly ‘fit for purpose’.”

*Copies of the new guide can be downloaded free of charge from the BSIA’s website: http://www.bsia.co.uk/portals/4/publications/331-intruder-alarm-education.pdf

IDIS cuts the ribbon on new UK office

To support continued robust growth and an expanding customer base, IDIS has opened new offices and training facilities in London.  Remaining in the recently refurbished The Mille in Brentford, the new facility features significant additional desk and recreational space and meeting rooms and doubles the capacity of the company’s training and demonstration facility.

Over the last two years, IDIS has significantly grown its sales force in the UK as well as strengthening its technical support team. This growth has corresponded with a larger partner network and customer base that has seen the demand for IDIS product demonstrations and training soar.

Brian Song, managing director of IDIS Europe, said: “Our new UK office is testament to the growth surge IDIS has experienced over the last four years. Since the launch of our own brand business in 2013, we’ve expanded our workforce and infrastructure both here in the UK and at our global headquarters and manufacturing facility just outside Seoul, as well as opening regional headquarters in the Middle East and the US. The new facilities in Brentford mean that we can continue to deliver world-class sales and technical support at a local level both now and in the years to come.”

Last year also saw Sean Um join the IDIS Europe team following an eight-year tenure at the IDIS global headquarters in various product and sales roles. In his new position as product manager, Um works closely with system integrators, installers and end users to drive the IDIS product road map. His remit is to work at a local level to understand the needs of European customers and ensure a continuous cycle of innovation that builds upon the IDIS signature of easy-to-use and high performance surveillance.

Song, added: “Since joining us last year, Sean has been instrumental in liaising with our product planning and development team in South Korea. His appointment has ensured that we continue to bring new products and technologies to market that deliver improvements upon common industry offerings that strengthen security and improve the user experience.”

IDIS will showcase its core technologies, including the flagship DirectIP offering (a true plug-and-play solution that eliminates the complexity of installing and operating networked surveillance), at this year’s IFSEC International. The show runs at London’s ExCeL from 20-22 June. IDIS can be found on Stand G700. The business will be celebrating 20 years of innovation.

Chubb Systems set to showcase fire and security solutions at Data Centre World

Chubb Systems will be showcasing its smart security management software – along with the company’s extensive range of fire safety and security solutions – at Data Centre World on 15-16 March at ExCeL, London.

Chubb Systems will be demonstrating its powerful fire and security management system – ADACS – which collates data from multiple channels, enabling Data Centre operators to manage fire safety, security, building controls and power supplies from a single platform.

The feature-rich ADACS platform presents real-time information to control access privileges, monitor fire detection and suppression systems and manage CCTV and monitoring systems installed within the Data Centre.

Chubb works with Data Centre operators to tailor solutions to help protect people and assets and assist in safeguarding Data Centre uptime. “We use our expertise and the latest security and fire technology to create secure, reliable and compliant solutions,” said Graeme Heanan, managing director at Chubb Systems. “These solutions provide a first line of defence and early warning of any problems, preventing a small incident from becoming a major issue and limiting downtime to an absolute minimum.”

Visitors to Data Centre World will also be able to view Chubb’s cabinet access management system (CAMS), a safe and secure solution for the management of cabinets and racks. The CAMS allows only authorised personnel access to allocated cabinets and supports compliance with a full auditing capability. Permissions are administered via the Chubb ADACS system, in turn giving direct control over access rights.

Chubb’s comprehensive approach includes the design, installation, maintenance and monitoring of intrusion detection systems; high-performance video surveillance systems linked to a 24/7 CCTV monitoring centre, advanced access control and fire detection systems (gas fire suppression systems and high-pressure water mist).

AMG Systems launches new website and brand identity

AMG Systems – the UK manufacturer of intelligent, industrial grade, reliable edge-of-network transmission solutions – has launched a new website and refreshed its brand identity to better reflect its position as a market leader in the provision of specialist Ethernet and IP systems and products.

The new brand identity and website updates offer a visual representation of AMG’s capabilities as the only UK-based manufacturer of Ethernet switch technologies. The changes also incorporate a new tagline, ‘Transmission with Innovation’, which encapsulates AMG’s flexible and adaptable approach: developing innovative and custom-built solutions to overcome some of the most common transmission challenges in the most difficult environments.

AMG Systems’ business development director Sara Fisher said: “We wanted to ensure that our new look reflected AMG’s unique approach and position in the specialist networking transmission sector. As a UK manufacturer of sophisticated IP and Ethernet switch solutions, we have complete control of our firmware thanks to our in-house technology design team. This means we’re far less vulnerable to cyber security issues than those manufacturers who source their firmware or products externally.”

Fisher went on to comment|: “We also have a long history of designing bespoke transmission solutions, integrating signals such as CCTV, standards-based or bespoke audio and any type of serial data on to the same Ethernet transmission network with systems to cater for almost any situation. Our new look and website are designed to convey that unique expertise and experience.”

*Access the company’s new website at: www.amgsystems.com

Hanwha Techwin opens new demonstration showroom

Hanwha Techwin recently held an open day at its new European headquarters in Chertsey to officially mark the opening of its Wisenet showroom.

Distributors, installers and systems integrators from across the UK, many of whom were accompanied by end user clients, accepted an invitation to see Hanwha Techwin’s new demonstration and training facilities. This provided them with the opportunity to be among the first to have a close-up look at the new Wisenet X ‘extreme performance’ camera series, as well as the company’s premium 4K Wisenet P and feature-rich Wisenet Q cameras.

“We have simulated a Control Room environment within our new showroom facilities so that we can demonstrate many of the practical features built into our cameras,” said Chris Parry, country manager for the UK and Ireland at Hanwha Techwin Europe. “With cameras installed throughout our self-contained building and overlooking our car park, we’re able to show in real time the benefits that are achievable from the very latest advances in video surveillance technology.”

Sitting at the ‘Control Room’ consul, Hanwha Techwin guests were able to put a wide range of Wisenet cameras through their paces via spot monitors and a large video wall. This allowed them an opportunity to test the usefulness of analytic solutions like ANPR, people counting and heat mapping as well as privacy masking and advanced Gyro digital image stabilisation.

Commenting on his visit to the new demonstration facility, Paul Miller (director of systems integration specialist RJ Pro-Vue Ltd) said: “I was very impressed and will certainly be taking advantage of the opportunity to bring my existing and potential customers to Chertsey so they can benefit from hands-on demonstrations of the technology built into the Samsung Wisenet cameras and recording devices.”

Nick Kalsi, technology consultant for Edwardian Hotels London, also felt his time was well spent visiting the new showroom. “We are an existing and satisfied user of Wisenet cameras and, together with Mohamed Elsebahy, group CCTV manager for Edwardian Hotels London, I was particularly interested in the detailed demonstration of the new Wisenet X cameras. We will certainly consider deploying these at one of our new hotels.”

Emprise Services wins contract to secure London’s Camden Market for next three years

Emprise Services plc, a leading support services provider in the spheres of security and cleaning, has been awarded a contract to provide security guarding services for London’s Camden Market in a £3 million, three-year deal.

After proceeding through a competitive tendering process, Emprise was appointed as the preferred bidder from five other companies to provide security services, which include guarding, CCTV and key holding services for Market Tech, which encompasses Camden Lock, Stables Market and Union Street Market.

All services will be managed by Emprise’s National Support Centre, along with dedicated on-site and mobile response teams.

Mark Langworthy, Emprise’s managing director of security, informed Risk UK: “Emprise was awarded this contract after stiff competition in a rigorous tendering process as a result of our experience in the TUPE transfer of large in-house teams, our strong leadership credentials and commitment to innovation via emprise-iP.”

Langworthy added: “Our reputation is built on long-term partnerships with our clients, which has enabled us to provide security services to some of the leading facilities in the country. We’re very much looking forward to working with the Camden Market team.”

Hikvision launches new website and outlines Roadshow Series for 2017

Hikvision UK and Ireland has launched a new website at www.hikvision.co.uk. With tailored content for the UK and Ireland market, the new website forms part of Hikvision’s wider marketing strategy in the region.

In addition to information on localised product content, news and details of its authorised distributor network, Hikvision UK and Ireland is now able to promote all industry events that the business will be attending.

Andy Keeley, marketing manager for Hikvision UK and Ireland, stated: “Our new website builds the foundations for our customer communications moving forward. We now have the flexibility to promote product content, news and events which are applicable to our UK and Ireland customer base along with relevant news and information from our international headquarters. We’re also very pleased to announce the dates and locations of our Spring 2017 Roadshow Series on our new website.”

 

Taking place in March in five cities across the UK and Ireland, the Hikvision Spring 2017 Roadshow Series is designed to demonstrate the latest technological advancements from Hikvision including 4K and H.265+ surveillance cameras, the Hikvision 24 MP PanoVu, thermal imaging solutions and the latest in Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology.

Hikvision will also be joined by Pyronix, Seagate and Wavestore who will all be demonstrating their latest products and solutions. Further details and event registration can be found at: www.hikvision.co.uk/roadshow

The new Hikvision UK and Ireland website will continue to evolve to ensure that industry professionals are kept up-to-date with the latest news and product details.