Amthal fires up 20th Anniversary celebrations by launching specialist logo

Amthal Fire & Security is celebrating its 20^th Anniversary with the launch of a new logo, dedicated to showcasing the company’s fast-growing and evolutionary journey towards becoming a fire and security specialist.

Launched in 2000 by close friends John Allam and Paul Rosenthal, Amthal Fire & Security now has over 60 members in the team and operates on a nationwide basis providing design, installation, maintenance and monitoring services across the commercial, public and residential sectors.

Amthal Fire & Security is dedicated to satisfying end user needs for security and safety by offering design, installation, service and remote monitoring of advanced electronic fire and security solutions, including intruder, fire, access and CCTV systems.

In 2008, Jamie Allam joined the management team to become commercial director and created the structure to drive an ambitious growth plan, incorporating all aspects of the business from operations through to sales and on to commercial targets.

Since last year, a dedicated senior management team has been created to manage day-to-day operations, including team members from across the business, some of whom began their Amthal journey as apprentices.

Jamie Allam commented: “Since we opened our doors in 2000, the economy and the challenges our clients face have evolved dramatically and our business has always taken a proactive approach. We’ve continued on our dynamic journey, transforming the way in which we work to operate as a total solutions provider for clients in order to deliver full fire and security services.”

Allam continued: “We’re very excited to reach our 20^th Anniversary and wanted a special way to celebrate our year, which reflected our mission, vision and values, both to our incredible team and our customers. The logo was created by providing keywords we associate with Amthal, such as ‘Strength’, ‘Diversity’, ‘Understanding’ and ‘Trustworthy’ alongside recognising our commitment to smart solutions and the latest technology.”

The logo will now be appearing across all social media channels and marketing material, and marks the start of the celebrations through the year, culminating in a special event on Amthal’s actual birthday, which is 14 November 2020.

Amthal Fire & Security is accredited by the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE).

BSIA appoints Pauline Norstrom as Honorary Member of Trade Association

Pauline Norstrom has been appointed by the Board of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) as an Honorary Member of the Trade Association. Norstrom’s involvement with the BSIA stretches back over 20 years, with the dedicated security professional having served as chair of the Association from 2014-2016 as well as serving for six years as chair of the Video Surveillance Systems Section.

During her tenure as chair of the Trade Association, Norstrom championed the BSIA’s strategy, part of which was to promote the value of member services over and above price in what is a highly competitive marketplace, duly resulting in the development of the White Paper entitled ‘The (Real) Price of Security Solutions’.

As chair of the Video Surveillance Systems Section, Norstrom ensured that the BSIA was represented on the National CCTV Strategy Board and speaking for the whole industry, in turn leading to the development of BS 8495 focused on the extraction of digital evidence, the BSIA’s Privacy Masking Guide, the Chip and PIN Guide and the Code of Practice for the Design, Installation and Maintenance of Video Surveillance Systems.

Pauline Norstrom

Norstrom was also a key driver behind the development of the leading research project entitled ‘The Picture Is Not Clear: How Many CCTV Surveillance Cameras in the UK?’, the most extensive study of the number of CCTV cameras in the UK in the last 20 years. This particular project positioned the BSIA in the mainstream media in the UK and globally.

In 2016, Norstrom founded Anekanta Ltd, which from 2019 has provided expertise for converging new and legacy technology, examining ethical considerations and the potential impact of the use of Artificial Intelligence.

Prior to this, Norstrom headed up the global marketing function of Dedicated Micros, followed by senior Board and leadership roles in related UK and US technology businesses.

Norstrom is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a member of the IoT Security Foundation and the Security Industry Association’s Cyber Security Advisory Board and also a member of British Mensa.

Norstrom is a regular public speaker and writer providing thought leadership and ideas to the industry and its stakeholders.

Mike Reddington, CEO at the BSIA, said: “The BSIA is delighted to appoint Pauline Norstrom as an Honorary Member of the Association. Pauline’s contribution to the industry and our Association will play an essential role in clarifying the industry’s position on facial recognition, and will go some way towards helping to explain the benefits of this technology, recommending ethical uses and building the trust of the public. We can then move forward the next iteration of research on CCTV cameras.”

3xLOGIC strengthens European operation with appointment of UK business development manager

Alex Buckle

3xLOGIC, the provider of integrated and intelligent security solutions, has announced the appointment of Alex Buckle as UK business development manager. Following the business’ highly successful launch into the European market last year, this is a significant appointment for 3xLOGIC and Buckle will be responsible for continuing to build the profile of the company in the UK.

After graduating from Sheffield Hallam University, Buckle entered the security industry in 2015 as sales executive for Dedicated Micros. He subsequently took up positions with NetVu and Arkessa before joining Vista in 2017 as its business development manager, where he remained until joining 3xLOGIC.

“So far my career has given me tremendous insight into the supply chain and the specific needs of end users, consultants and system integrators,” commented Buckle. “It’s this experience that has allowed me to develop an excellent level of commercial awareness and understanding, and I intend using these attributes to create new opportunities in line with 3xLOGIC’s strategic growth plan.”

Buckle added: “I was attracted to this position due to 3xLOGIC’s integration of CCTV and access control coupled with its business intelligence platform, allowing customers to take enormous amounts of data and turn it into actionable information. This role gives me a massive opportunity to help organisations across the UK drive operational improvement from data in new and exciting ways.”

A leading innovator in server, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things as well as cloud-based technology for over 15 years, US-based 3xLOGIC boasts a wealth of expertise in the development and integration of access control, video surveillance and video management systems. Buckle is tasked with promoting the numerous benefits of 3xLOGIC’s solutions, which provide comprehensive, cost-effective and multi-dimensional security infrastructures that are easy to manage, simple to install and can scale in line with changing needs.

Gary Rowden, 3xLOGIC’s vice-president of commercial sales, concluded: “I’m delighted that Alex has joined us. His extensive skills, knowledge and experience will help us rapidly expand our presence in the UK. We have an enviable track record in redefining what’s possible with security technology and our success in the highly competitive US market is testament to our ability to stay one step ahead of the competition.”

360 Vision Technology appoints Sara Fisher as business development director

360 Vision Technology, the UK CCTV company, has announced the appointment of Sara Fisher to the role of business development director.

Formerly sales and marketing director at AMG Systems with full responsibility for driving sales and marketing activities, Fisher’s new role will be geared to supporting end users, system integrators and security consultants in the ITS, local authority and oil and gas sectors within the UK and across international regions.

Sara Fisher

“Having worked with Mark Rees and the team for a number of years, I’m extremely excited to be taking on this new position,” enthused Fisher. “I’ve admired 360 Vision Technology’s innovative and high-performance camera and lighting technologies for some time now and cannot wait to start promoting another great British brand. Primarily, my aim will be to increase 360 Vision Technology’s global presence across a number of key market sectors.”

Rees stated: “Supporting the company’s continued growth plan, we welcome Sara as an excellent addition to the 360 Vison Technology team. Having worked with Sara in a technology partnership with her previous company, it was clear that her experience and tenacity was aligned with our own company’s ethos and aspirations. Sara’s role is set to lead us into new sectors, as well as strengthen those in which we’re already making inroads. I’m thrilled to have someone of Sara’s calibre and experience joining the team.”

AMG expands sales and technical support with appointment of Amanda Cowell

AMG Systems, the developer of wireless and hybrid communication transmission solutions, has expanded its depth of customer support by appointing Amanda Cowell as sales and technical support engineer.

Supporting AMG’s sales and technical support manager Ian Creary, Cowell’s new role will be to provide pre- and post-sales technical support. Previously a network engineer with responsibilities ranging from on-site installations to maintenance, Cowell has worked on projects in the UK as well as in Europe and the US.

“I’m really excited to be starting with AMG and I’m looking forward to taking on the challenges that are to come,” said Cowell. “My objective is to bring some fresh ideas and provide technical support for the entire AMG family.”

Creary added: “We’re delighted to welcome Amanda to the technical team at AMG Systems. Her networking qualifications, certification and experience, combined with the CCTV experience gained in her previous role, will prove invaluable in providing pre- and post-sales technical support for our internal sales team and valued customer base.”

Scottish tech firm creates ‘ZIVA’ robotic solution for security and agriculture inspections

Edinburgh-based Casta Spes Technologies has unveiled a new robotic security vehicle offering security and inspection solutions across multiple sectors including agriculture, energy/utilities and construction.

Named ZIVA, the multi-terrain, high-performance robot saves 92% on the cost of a manned patrol by combining autonomous navigation with multiple software add-ons, such as licence plate recognition and threat classification. ZIVA was designed to reduce the cost and time associated with false alarms, using its dynamic and flexible nature to cover blind spots, which can be a major drawback with static cameras.

ZIVA provides 360-degree CCTV coverage and can be driven remotely or set to automatically patrol specified routes using multiple sensors and autonomous navigation.

ZIVA is the first product from Casta Spes Technologies, set up by 24-year-old graduates Selby Cary and Michael McDonald. Designed using funding from pre-seed tech accelerator Seed Haus and Scottish Enterprise support, it’s currently deployed onsite with several companies including West Coast Capital Properties.

Selby Cary (left) and Michael McDonald pictured with their ZIVA solution

Cary, the CEO of Casta Spes Technologies, completed a Masters degree at Heriot-Watt University, which is known for its robotics research and teaching. He explained: “It’s estimated that the perimeter security market will be worth over $197 billion by 2022, with the global market for surveillance robots expected to reach $10.2 billion by 2025. This is a massive growth industry.”

He continued: “ZIVA works by analysing the images it sees, allowing it to take on important perimeter security roles in remote areas or locations with limited infrastructure, such as warehouses, industrial properties and construction sites.”

Leader in robotic technology

Cary believes Scotland has already demonstrated that it’s a leader in robotic technology and development. “Scotland is fast becoming the robotics capital of Europe with the National Robotarium under construction in Edinburgh and the city playing host to some of the world’s leading robotics experts. We believe Scotland’s capital is the ideal springboard from which to launch ZIVA. Furthermore, the terrain and weather conditions are ideal for testing. Once we knew we had something that could work in the Scottish weather, we were confident we could make it work anywhere.”

Able to reach speeds of 19 km/h and capable of tackling rough terrain, including gravel and long grass, ZIVA overcomes many of the challenges faced by competitor robot security vehicles due to its innovative design. It can also provide a range of agricultural functions, such as checking crops for disease or monitoring livestock.

ZIVA’s mechanical design combines multiple innovations in one platform. Its dual-wheeled system means it has a greater payload capacity, offers energy efficiency and can overcome rough terrain without becoming stuck. ZIVA’s flexible and modular design means that clients can customise it to their own requirements, thereby providing an affordable, real-world solution to their remote security needs.

Casta Spes Technologies plans to deploy more units into the field shortly and will launch a suite of software add-ons and data analytics plug-ins to enhance ZIVA’s CCTV capabilities over the next 12 months.

Synectics to highlight value of ethical surveillance tools at Global MSC Security Conference 2019

This year’s Global MSC Security Conference and Exhibition, which runs at The Bristol Hotel in Bristol on 11-12 November, will see Synectics explain how advanced technologies and evolving features can support those practitioners tasked with ensuring that public surveillance is undertaken legally and ethically.  

Over 150 delegates from the fields of security, law enforcement, Government and academia are due to attend the two-day event, which will focus on the ethical challenges presented by the growing use of CCTV, ANPR, drones, facial recognition and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the public realm. Risk Xtra is the Official Media Partner.

Speakers include Tony Porter, the UK’s Surveillance Camera Commissioner, who’ll be joined by senior representatives from police forces, Fire and Rescue Services and other organisations focused on public safety, crime prevention and national security.

‘Building Ethical Capacity into Surveillance Technology’

Synectics’ Martin Bonfield joins the event line-up. His detailed seminar will highlight how public concerns regarding surveillance ‒ especially those around the use of emerging technologies such as facial recognition and AI ‒ are shown to be greatly reduced if robust and demonstrable safeguards are in operation.

Those attending the session will gain a clear understanding of the tools available to help ensure that any public surveillance data can be captured, managed and shared in accordance with existing and evolving demands. 

The session will look specifically at solutions designed to support users in four key areas: the use of facial recognition, regulatory compliance (with, for example, the General Data Protection Regulation), data protection (cyber security) and evidence management.

Under the spotlight

To showcase emerging capabilities, Synectics will be demonstrating how its Synergy 3 Command and Control platform supports a wide range of safeguarding and compliance mechanisms, including comprehensive digital audit trails, automated workflows aligned to standard operating procedures and time-limited data storage.

The role played by highly secure, cloud-based evidence lockers ‒ which support secure, real-time authorised access to data ‒ will also be discussed, specifically in the context of inter-agency data-sharing.

Martin Bonfield

Bonfield informed Risk Xtra: “Synectics has been at the forefront of global surveillance solutions for over 30 years. We work closely with customers to tackle the complex issue of ethics surrounding CCTV use, data capture and monitoring, as well as the robust management of digital evidence. I’m looking forward to showing delegates examples of the smart technology available to ensure surveillance operations are effective, secure and compliant with legal and ethical frameworks – today, and years from now.”

As a premium sponsor, Synectics (exhibiting on Stand 15) will be showcasing its leading-edge technologies. Live demonstrations will run throughout the event to demonstrate how the tools explored in the seminar can be applied within a range of practical evidence management and incident response scenarios.