Seagate launches SkyHawk AI 18 TB hard drive for AI-enabled and large enterprise smart video systems

Seagate Technology, the data storage and management solutions specialist, has released its 18 TB SkyHawk Artificial Intelligence (AI) drives. SkyHawk AI is badged as “the world’s first purpose-built hard drive for AI-enabled surveillance solutions” enabling quicker and smarter decisions.

The new drive supports deep learning and machine learning workload streams for Edge applications with ImagePerfectAI.

The capacity to retain more data over time is required for deep learning systems to become smarter and more accurate in their predictive analysis, while behavioural analysis requires significantly more data than traditional video capture. 

SkyHawk AI simultaneously sustains 32 AI streams alongside 64 video streams and supports multi-bay NVR and AI-enabled NVR. It offers a 550 TB/year workload rate, which is more than three times the workload rate of standard surveillance hard drives, in order to manage data deluge in complex video security system environments without sacrificing performance.

Put simply, this drive intelligently adapts between traditional video workloads and video+AI workloads.

“Seagate’s SkyHawk AI 18 TB video security system hard drive was designed for growing data demands to accommodate nodes of any size, thereby making it easy to scale from terabytes to petabytes,” explained Jeff Fochtman, senior vice-president of marketing and business at Seagate Technology. “With the SkyHawk AI 18 TB release, Seagate has presided over improvements in operational and analytical processes, providing faster access to video security footage when compared earlier versions.”

Built to meet the demands of an always-on large workload in an AI-enabled NVR system, SkyHawk AI 18 TB accommodates the recording and analysing of footage simultaneously from multiple cameras which equips customers with faster and smarter footage analysis by eliminating data latency and processing.

It includes three years of Seagate Rescue Services for additional peace of mind in the event of data loss or accident and a standard three-year limited warranty. 

*Further information is available online at www.seagate.com

IDIS sets sights on developing video surveillance projects in Middle East and North Africa

Surveillance solutions specialist IDIS is now targeting video-based projects in resilient Middle East market sectors and encompassing the banking, grocery retail and education sectors as the business seeks looks to build on recent successes when it comes to delivering compliance-driven solutions.

Despite continuing disruption and uncertainty in the global economy, the company feels the outlook is positive in the Middle East region as it supports its systems integration partners to focus on both resilient sectors and markets showing continued growth.

The video technology developer, which is known for its end-to-end solutions, highlights opportunities for video tech projects in the education sector where it already has successful deployments in in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Kuwait.

“The sector continues to expand due to investment from private equity firms and Government infrastructure funding, as well as international higher education institutes expanding their presence in the region,” explained Jamil Al Asfar, senior sales manager for IDIS in the Middle East and Africa.

In the banking sector, major investments in more robust surveillance infrastructure over the last three years have been driven by compliance pressure as banks look to meet more stringent Government standards.

IDIS-developed video technology has already been deployed to protect more than 3,000 bank branches and ATMs for the National Commercial Bank in Saudi Arabia and was also chosen to secure the Central Bank of Jordan. Both projects demonstrated the benefits of robust, cyber-secure technology and proved how compliance can be delivered at pace, even on a challenging scale and in tough environments.

Upgrade projects

IDIS solutions are fully compliant with requirements in the financial sector, including the Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority regulations. As a result, upgrade projects are driving strong activity for the company and its integration partners in the KSA, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and Pakistan.

In the grocery and retail sector, Carrefour’s recently reported expansion across the Middle East, and its choice of IDIS video tech, has paved the way for further opportunities, among them projects in hypermarkets.

“Working alongside its integration partners, IDIS boasts in-depth experience of retail applications globally and we’re focusing on continuing demand for not just affordable video, but also scalable solutions that offer advanced analytics and deep learning tools,” continued Jamil Al Asfar. “These will help stores compete in the current tough trading conditions as well as into the future.”

Jamil Al Asfar

Further, he stated: “Security Industry Regulatory Agency certification for the latest range of our cameras and NVRs also means that we’re gaining momentum in commercial, residential and Government sectors across the UAE. In Dubai, we’ve seen construction and re-development rapidly bounce back. The new facilities involved need compliant, cyber-secure and resilient video tech to ensure public safety and security.”

Ahmad Shanawani, managing director of Ametrad Technology Services, concluded: “Despite the undoubted economic challenges in some sectors, we’re still seeing strong demand for video solutions that combine low total cost of ownership, high performance and robust cyber security standards and that meet compliance needs. We’re now seeing how much IDIS’ end-to-end solutions and the company’s collaborative approach are suited to the growth projects with which we’re involved.”

IDIS and Galeco Communications NHS project shortlisted for 2020 Safety and Health Excellence Awards

A cutting-edge project undertaken by video surveillance specialist IDIS and Galeco Communications designed to improve protection for vulnerable adolescents and children with mental health conditions has been shortlisted for the 2020 Safety and Health Excellence (SHE) Awards.

The project involved a 150-plus camera system being installed in stages across nine weeks to create what is one of the UK’s safest secure treatment centres for young people with complex care needs, thereby reducing the risk of physical harm to staff, patients and visitors alike.

The Bluebird House project has been selected out of more than 200 entries for this year’s SHE Awards, and is now confirmed as a finalist in the Best Health and Safety Project category. The winners will be announced in September.

Galeco engineers installed 110 IDIS 12 MP IR Super Fisheye cameras as well as upwards of 50 separate 5 MP IR bullet and 31x zoom IR PTZ cameras connected to 32-channel NVRs. All benefit from true plug-and-play set-up, minimising disturbance to patients.

Deployed across three secure wards and two high-level care units, the Super Fisheye models provide comprehensive coverage that’s much more affordably for the end user than the alternative of using three or more fixed lens cameras. Advanced video capture delivers HD scene coverage and allows staff to de-warp in live view as well as playback.

The 5 MP bullet cameras were deployed by Galeco engineers around the building exteriors. At the perimeter, 31x zoom IR PTZ cameras provide clear night-time image capture at distances of up to 200 metres. Each camera is set to perform virtual guard tours periodically during the day and also at night.

Featuring automatic object detection capability, these cameras recognise and automatically track objects, people or cars, alerting CCTV operators to suspicious activity and ensuring that potentially important evidence is always recorded.

Patient privacy requirements

To meet patient privacy requirements, access to live and recorded footage – and the use of specific video tools – is limited to staff according to their location and role. Individuals can only view and review footage from their own area of responsibility at one of the four designated monitoring stations.

The end result of the project has been improved safety standards and care provision, with clinicians and senior administrators now able to use the new video review tools for training, case review and incident investigations.

“At a time when our fantastic NHS staff are in everyone’s thoughts, we’re grateful that we’ve been able to make a contribution towards keeping doctors, care workers, patients and everyone who works with them safe,” enthused Ali Copland, managing director of Galeco Communications.

The project further demonstrates the value of team working and the application of smart technology to improve outcomes.

James Min, managing director at IDIS Europe, concluded: “Together, Galeco Communications and IDIS have shown what can be achieved at such a complex site in sensitive circumstances by adopting a genuine partnership approach.”

Hanwha Techwin focuses on Top 5 Video Surveillance Trends for 2020

Hanwha Techwin, the supplier of IP and analogue video surveillance solutions, has put forward its Top 5 key trend predictions for the security industry in 2020. These include Artificial Intelligence end-to-end security solutions, cyber security, cloud-based data insights, privacy protection and vertical specialised solutions.

Artificial Intelligence End-to-End Security Solutions

As Artificial Intelligence becomes more broadly adopted across industries, it’s likely to be more widely incorporated in video surveillance in the upcoming year. Edge-based Artificial Intelligence (which filters and processes data locally on a camera) will be more ubiquitous, enabling end-to-end Artificial Intelligence technology.

Today, most security cameras send the data they collect to servers to be analysed. However, with edge-based Artificial Intelligence, the data is first analysed by the camera and subsequently sent to the server. This reduces the burden of transferring and storing large amounts of data to a server, thereby increasing efficiency, saving time and reducing server costs typically required to analyse data.

In 2020, Hanwha Techwin will introduce edge-based Artificial Intelligence cameras, as well as Artificial Intelligence-powered NVRs and VMS so as to bring to market end-to-end (camera to storage server and VMS) Artificial Intelligence security solutions.

Cyber Security

With Internet of Things (IoT) devices becoming ubiquitous, the importance of cyber security has never been more prominent that it is today. Today’s cyber attacks are more intelligent and advanced than ever before, so building cyber-resilient security systems is no longer an option, but an imperative.

Smart Cities, factories, financial institutions and retailers require scaleable video surveillance solutions which are closely interconnected with other devices and networks, making the importance of cyber security paramount.

Strong cyber security has always been Hanwha Techwin’s priority and the company has been refining its technology to suit ince the beginning. The soon-to-be released Wisenet 7, the newest version of Hanwha Techwin’s own System on Chip, has been designed with the strongest cyber security features including a secure booting function and signed firmware for both software and hardware. Validated by the UL Cyber Security Assurance Program certification, Wisenet 7 ensures that end users have access to the industry’s most advanced cyber security features.

Cloud–Based Data Insight

According to IDC, the provider of IT-focused market intelligence, there will be about 175 zettabytes of data in the world by the year 2025, with much of it stored in the cloud and Data Centres around the world. At the same time, video surveillance solutions will go far beyond functioning as a simple monitoring tool to become an indispensable aid to organisations by providing useful insights that improve business operations.

The importance of accessible cloud-based servers that can easily store and analyse the accumulated data will also increase. Going beyond being an efficient storage repository, sophisticated analytics will use cloud processing to analyse the stored data and provide practical and timely insights. 

In 2020, Hanwha Techwin will introduce cloud-based solutions beginning with the Device Health Monitoring Cloud, which will monitor and manage video surveillance devices in real-time. The company will also introduce Retail Insight Cloud which is designed to facilitate store management.

Privacy Protection

Together with cyber security, Hanwha Techwin believes that the protection of personal data should be integral to the business ethics of a video surveillance company. By its very nature, the video data that’s collected for security purposes almost always contains private information. Therefore, protecting surveillance data is imperative.

Around the world, privacy protection laws are being introduced, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the Federal Information Security Management Act in the US. The California Consumer Privacy Act is also set to come into effect in January 2020.

These laws will force the video surveillance industry to follow ‘privacy by design’ Best Practice and renew all efforts designed to protect personal data from misuse and abuse. Organisations are increasingly aware of the dangers of private data breaches and they’re becoming more discerning when choosing security products and solutions.

Hanwha Techwin provides a solution with Video Privacy Management technology and has released its Smart Cover of Privacy line-up to comply with the GDPR globally.

Vertical Specialised Solutions

Vertical markets in the security industry are increasingly requiring more specialised devices and solutions that meet unique requirements. With the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution, the presence of smart verticals will be more prominent and video surveillance companies must be ready to provide solutions for Smart Cities, factories, transportation and retail organisations.

Soon Hong Ahn

Hanwha Techwin already provides products for these verticals and plans to expand its line-up of specialised solutions in the very near future to include asset management solutions with IoT technology.

“Advancement in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the IoT and the cloud will support new use cases in conjunction with existing devices and solutions to meet customers’ needs in various verticals, expanding the horizon of our industry,” said Hanwha Techwin’s president and CEO Soon Hong Ahn. “However, we must also be mindful of the social and ethical responsibility related to areas such as cyber security and private data protection. Sustained interest and investment in these areas must be regarded as an obligation to make sure our industry continues to thrive in the midst of rapid technological advancements.”

Honeywell launches 30 Series IP cameras “to improve data and video protection”

Honeywell has announced the release of its 30 Series IP cameras: a new suite of video cameras that strengthens building safety and security through advanced analytics and secure channel encryption. With the new cameras, end users can also benefit from lower total cost of ownership and reduced risk as well as improved picture quality without increased storage needs.

“Honeywell is in the business of protection – from buildings through to data and the people within those buildings,” said Jeremy Kimber, video global product management director for Honeywell Commercial Security. “With the release of the 30 Series IP cameras, we’re providing advanced secure channel encryption that guards against unauthorised access and the unsanctioned distribution of data and video to help end users seamlessly integrate security into any business.”

Honeywell 30 Series IP Cameras are available in dome, bullet, ball and fisheye models that feature:

Secure channel encryption: The new cameras provide HTTP over TLS1.2 (HTTPS) encrypted streaming to Honeywell MAXPRO NVRs. They adhere to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Together, these elements help meet the increasingly stringent requirements being set by IT Departments to shield businesses against unauthorised access and unsanctioned distribution of data and video, potentially saving end users up to $3.86 million (the average global cost of a data breach).

Advanced motion people detection: Traditional motion detection only detects pixel changes, leading to a higher false alarm rate. Advanced motion people detection is designed to reduce false alarm rates as it will only create an alarm when the moving object is recognised as a person.

Enhanced storage space and image quality: A higher quality camera resolution of up to 5 MP delivers exceptional images and comes with a user-friendly interface for secure remote viewing. The H.265 smart codec feature allows for storage of longer clips and lower bandwidth consumption, enabling images to take up to 50% less storage space, which decreases operating costs.

The new line of cameras is fully-integrated using HTTPS encrypted streaming with MAXPRO NVRs. They can also be used with performance-embedded NVRs linked to the MAXPRO Cloud multi-site video and access control management platform and with the ADPRO XO range of NVRs complete with on-board video analytics.

With advanced analytics and encryption capabilities, Honeywell 30 Series IP cameras offer an array of quality options for all SMEs, entry-level enterprise and critical applications where compliance is essential such as banking and finance, Government, the utilities, the education sector, retail and premium commercial.

GJD appoints ezCCTV.com as national distribution partner

GJD, the designer and manufacturer of external detection and LED illumination equipment, has announced the appointment of ezCCTV.com as its new national distribution partner. Based in Hertfordshire and an authorised official Hikvision distributor, ezCCTV.com supplies digital and IP surveillance solutions.

Models in GJD’s D-TECT range of detectors reliably detect people and easily integrate with third party VMS providers and CCTV systems. The product range performs well in all weather conditions without fail or false alarm.

Commenting on the new partnership, Greg Stuttle (GJD’s business development manager) observed: “GJD is confident that our product range will be popular with ezCCTV.com’s customers. GJD is wholly committed to delivering a responsive and reliable service. ezCCTV also takes this approach, so we believe the company will be a great partner. We’re looking forward to a long and successful working relationship.”

Camera analytics has driven demand for reliable human detection. For their part, GJD’s products have been capturing genuine alarms for over 30 years, providing both end users and installers alike with peace of mind that critical events will never be missed and that false alarms will not occur.

Joss Cohen (left) and Greg Stuttle

Joss Cohen, sales director at ezCCTV.com, told Risk Xtra: “We’ve partnered with GJD as the company’s products incorporate functions not found on any other similar products. GJD’s IP technology also integrates with Hikvision. This is a perfect fit for our customers and aligns very well with our strategy.”

The D-TECT motion detector range is designed for intruder monitoring, CCTV surveillance and other alarm warning requirements. The detectors provide both volumetric and long-range narrow field of view sensing plus remote programming.

D-TECT IP detectors integrate with Hikvision’s I Series and K2 Series NVRs, which are said to deliver “remarkable advantages” for end users including quick and efficient installation, minimum maintenance and remote access. Installers can change detector settings via a secure web-based interface.

Other products in the GJD range include Clarius PLUS LED illuminators. These produce powerful and even illumination, in turn assisting reliable detection and deterrence. Clarius IP provides smart lighting solutions, which can be integrated with IP cameras and CCTV systems. Every Clarius light includes a lens diffuser pack so the beam spread can be easily adjusted on site.

NIT signs distribution agreement with IDIS for Middle East and Africa region

Ingram Micro company NIT, the regional value-added distributor of IP surveillance and physical security solutions in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has just signed a distribution agreement with IDIS, one of the largest manufacturers of security and surveillance technology in South Korea and a globally recognised leader in advanced surveillance innovation.

Thanks to this agreement, IDIS’ full range of surveillance solutions will now be available across the Middle East and Africa through NIT. That range includes IDIS’ line-up of powerful IP cameras and NVRs, as well as a choice of VMS encompassing IDIS Center and the award-winning IDIS Solution Suite that’s both modular and scaleable in design, making it suitable for multi-site deployments and large enterprise-level applications.

“Our new alliance with IDIS provides significant opportunities for our company to build end-to-end and cost-effective surveillance solutions which can suit different vertical markets,” said Bassel Al Fakir, managing director of NIT. “IDIS’ advanced plug-and-play video technologies will open up great new profit opportunities for our resellers.”

IDIS DirectIP is an optimised HD surveillance solution based on a highly secure IP framework consisting of cameras, NVRs, network equipment and a choice of client software, all of which forms a complete package. IDIS’ high-quality cameras and NVRs complemented by VMS are easy to use and don’t require specialised training or expert knowledge to install.

“We’re very pleased to have NIT on board,” confirmed Harry Kwon, general manager of IDIS MEA. “NIT is using its expert knowledge and extensive partner network, which greatly extends IDIS’ reach across the region and opens an essential sales channel.”

Advanced video surveillance solutions from IDIS showcased at Security Essen

The very latest advances in secure surveillance technology, engineered entirely in Korea, are being demonstrated by IDIS on Stand E10 in Hall 5 at Security Essen, which runs from 25-28 September.

The IDIS Total Solution is increasingly being preferred by major end users globally because it offers the advantages of secure, exclusively Korean design and manufacturing, as well as “outstanding performance” in all applications.

Important innovations on show at Security Essen include IDIS’ flagship DirectIP solution, a full array of IP cameras (including Full-HD and 4K models), NVRs, network accessories and monitors, new privacy masking features to support end user compliance with data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the IDIS Center (which typically delivers 50% cost savings on centralised monitoring systems in comparison with server-based solutions) and “game-changing Artificial Intelligence”.

Deep Learning Analytics

Proving to be the biggest draw for visitors this week is the latest iteration of IDIS’ Deep Learning Analytics (IDLA) technology that has opened a new door to the future of video analytics with “groundbreaking” 96% accuracy combined with a 200 ips speed allowing for the analysis of 32 channels simultaneously.

These exciting advances in video analytics make IDLA “more accurate, faster and more scalable” than competitive offerings. IDLA provides agile appearance searching, object detection and classification (for example people, cars and bicycles) intrusion detection, as well as loitering detection: all adapted to fit a 16:9 ratio.

The IDLA engine offers this “unrivalled accuracy” thanks to its advanced deep network architecture. IDLA is easy to set up and use simply by setting the region of interest and sensitivity. No calibration is needed.

Further, since IDLA doesn’t require additional processing power, end users can progress legacy hardware and cameras to transform their existing surveillance system into a powerful Artificial Intelligence solution.

Version 2.0 will be commercially available early next year. End users will be able to access both standard and advanced functionality, such as appearance search, through a single and affordable licence. Object detection and classification, intruder detection and loitering analytics are already available for users of the IDIS Solution Suite VMS.

IDIS DirectIP

Making its major exhibition debut in Germany, IDIS DirectIP is a true plug-and-play, end-to-end IP surveillance platform which offers “industry-leading” ease of use and performance. Consisting of IP cameras, NVRs, network equipment and totally cost-effective IDIS Center software, IDIS DirectIP is a complete package that’s easy to install, secure, flexible and scalable. It’s compatible with legacy systems and supports third party and ONVIF protocols for maximum installation flexibility. DirectIP provides users with Best in Class performance. Combined with the seven-year IDIS Ultimate Warranty, it’s affordable and cost-effective to run.

Visitors to Hall 5 are also learning about how IDIS Dynamic Privacy Masking is supporting users in complying with privacy legislation. IDIS Dynamic Privacy Masking securely masks areas of interest without transcoding, allowing end users to protect the privacy of selected individuals, for example bystanders, in any video footage which is being used as evidence in a Court of Law.

Together, these advances offer end users, installers, consultants and distributors new levels of system-building flexibility and security with significant cost advantages.

Joon Jun

Joon Jun, president of IDIS’ Global Business Division, stated: “IDIS technology is now recognised as a trusted and premium brand. It’s being adopted by major users around the world. This success is thanks to our commitment to highly secure manufacturing – which is exclusively Korean – and innovative design which keeps us at the very forefront of the video surveillance sector.”

Vista covers every angle with latest IP and analogue camera launches

Vista has just announced the newest additions to its VK2 and HDA ranges. The camera launches are supported by the introduction of the new ‘universal’ brackets which greatly simplify installation and were developed in line with ‘Voice of Customer’ feedback.

The collective aim of the cameras and brackets is to reduce installation time on site, (and therefore minimise cost). The use of the latest technology within the cameras and the intelligent product design means that “excellent quality images” can be produced and adjustments easily be made to meet future end user requirements.

The VK2 range has been developed with the customer very much in mind. The cameras are designed to reduce bandwidth and storage requirements along with minimising the time required on site for installing and adjusting the cameras.

Their ability to stream highly efficient H.265 video format, combined with Vista’s advanced Hi-Stream bandwidth reducing function, means that storage and bandwidth requirements can be up to 75% lower than that of an equivalent H.264 stream.

The VK2 cameras are available in both 2 MP and 4 MP formats and produce “crisper images” compared to those achieved by general IP cameras. This is as a result of a user-definable minimum/maximum shutter speed, true Wide Dynamic Range and IR illumination.

The VK2L range has been designed for those end users who require high quality video images delivered at a cost-effective price. These cameras reduce bandwidth and storage requirements like their VK2 siblings and, due to a wide angle lens, minimise the number of cameras required on site.

The key benefits shared by the VK2 and VK2L camera ranges are as follows:

Compatible with all modern NVRs and VMS H.265/H.264 compression formats make for a flexible system

Reduced required levels of bandwidth and storage Significantly reduced when used in H.265 mode and as a result of Hi-Stream Region of Interest which adds greater compression to areas with no motion

Ensure a much crisper frozen image User-definable minimum/maximum shutter speed provides much clearer images than general IP cameras

The launch also includes an analogue offer. The newly-released HDA cameras are capable of providing Full-HD 1080p resolution in TVI HDA format over coax cabling and provide a very flexible solution. A wide range of features make them suitable for many internal and external applications as well as providing excellent quality images without the requirement of an IP knowledge base.

The HDA range makes for the perfect transition from analogue to IP and can be used in conjunction with existing analogue infrastructure.

All of the IP and analogue cameras included in the launch are perfect for use with the Vista Viper range of NVRs and DVRs. ONVIF compliance ensures that they can also be used on multiple manufacturers’ recording platforms if existing systems are in place.

Alongside the cameras, the introduction of a new selection of ‘universal’ brackets simplifies installation and the process of selecting the correct bracket.

Vista adds new end user-focused features and functions to Viper family

Vista has added new features and functions to the Viper range of NVRs, DVRs and associated matrix controllers. The Viper family was launched back in July last year and Vista is continually working on developing the range in line with customer requirements and feedback to ensure that “the perfect solution” can be offered.

Although the range is under continuous development, the overall purpose of the Viper family is to provide a multi-format recording platform, allowing end users to pull together Viper HD analogue DVRs and Viper IP NVRs into a single, seamless system.

The Viper virtual matrix controller affords end users complete control of the system through the uniform and intuitive central management software. The flexible range gives end users the opportunity to upgrade their systems at their own pace, with Vista providing high quality service throughout the process.

The latest addition to the range is Viper Remote, the App that allows operators to be in constant contact with their security system. The App provides alarm notifications straight to the user’s device, affords the ability to view live and recorded images remotely, offers various display options and also an intuitive navigation system.

Wide-ranging search options ensure that time is saved when reviewing footage and that important security events can be found with ease. The App also allows for the management of devices in the system providing the opportunity to add and remove devices whenever necessary from any remote location.

Vista has also been working to enhance the functionality of the H5 range of NVRs. The latest development is the de-warping function that allows 360 degree camera images to be seen in a more user-friendly, 180 degree view. This helps to improve the end user experience by making reviewing images as simple as possible.

In response to ‘Voice of Customer’ feedback and suggestions, Vista has been working on making the range compatible with Immix. This is another hugely beneficial function which is on its way.

Bob Forehand, Vista’s technical manager, explained to Risk UK: “The Viper family is an incredibly flexible range that allows end users to ‘mix-and-match’ Viper units, combining both IP and analogue systems. The flexibility of the range means that the solution can be developed over time, saving on upfront costs and accounting for the requirements of growing or developing systems. The addition of Viper Remote, Viper Central and the upcoming introduction of Immix make the already differentiated and comprehensive offering even more inviting.”