As part of its ongoing growth strategy, Comelit UK has expanded its team with the appointment of a dedicated UK sales director, namely Simon Green.
In a career spanning more than 25 years in the security industry and with 15 years spent in senior leadership positions, Green has embraced roles with global companies, among them Prosegur, Bosch Security and Safety Systems and Genie CCTV Ltd.
Now responsible for the development of Comelit’s sales team on a day-to-day basis, Green will strategically co-ordinate plans to move forward and develop specific channels and relationships in line with an ever-growing smart service and product portfolio.
Commenting on his new role, Green told Security Matters: “I’m joining Comelit at a very exciting stage in its journey. As a company renowned for its customer-centric approach, it holds a respected reputation for manufacturing high-quality and stylish products that cover both smart security and fire safety. The company’s range of solutions and its service capability really appealed.”
Simon Green
Green added: “This position is a great opportunity for me to join an established, dedicated and highly motivated team. Comelit’s products are highly regarded within the industry and I relish the opportunity to help develop the team even further. I now very much look forward to the exciting challenges ahead and taking the company to the next level.”
Francesca Boeris, managing director at Comelit UK, res;ponded: “We are very excited to announce Simon’s appointment to co-ordinate and develop our well-established sales network. Simon brings a wealth of product, market and industry knowledge with him, which will undoubtedly be invaluable to our team members and customers alike.”
Boeris concluded: “Our decision to invest in additional resources and expertise to support our sales network provides a great opportunity for us all to work closer together and further strengthen our market position with each new smart product design both from a security and fire safety perspective, but also as a whole company proposition.”
Eagle Eye Networks, the cloud video surveillance solutions developer, has introduced the ‘first-of-its-kind’ 4G ‘direct-to-cloud’ body camera designed specifically for commercial use. This new offering provides commercial customers with affordable access to feature-rich, professional-grade body camera services, which improve staff safety and accountability, trigger immediate response and deliver valuable evidence, all while protecting assets and keeping communities safe.
Body cameras dissuade aggression, improve accountability and reduce false accusations. Employees from private security officers through to retail staff, in-home service providers and delivery workers feel safer and more valued when wearing such cameras.
Earlier this year, global research organisation Omdia identified body cameras in non-law enforcement applications as being a top trend for 2021, suggesting that the potential addressable market for commercial body-worn cameras dwarfs that of law enforcement.
“The commercial body-worn camera market is ripe for new entrants,” observed Paul Bremner, principal analyst in Omdia’s critical communications group. “Features such as cloud connectivity, 4G, live streaming, GPS and the price-point are important to retailers, delivery services, security officers and others in the commercial sector. New bodycam providers who can break the old law enforcement body camera mold with reasonably priced, feature-rich, professional-grade solutions are positioning themselves to fill a growing need within the commercial market.”
Extension of video cloud services
Resellers are welcoming the arrival of body cameras that meet their needs. Jaime Abad Valdenebro, CEO at OmniCloud, is “excited” that Eagle Eye Networks has launched commercial body camera support for its Eagle Eye CameraManager platform. “Fixed IP cameras integrated with 4G-enabled body cameras represent the extension of video cloud services in a real mobile environment,” stated Valdenebro, “providing a new disruptive video surveillance solution.”
He continued: “In a smart city application, Eagle Eye Networks’ new 4G, ‘direct-to-cloud’ body cameras will provide extra protection for security officers and ensure that patrols are completed on time. The 4G connectivity is important. It gives the user live access to body camera video. It will make a high- performance ‘true’ cloud video surveillance system even more powerful.”
With Eagle Eye Networks’ body cameras, end users can:
*Use 4G or Wi-Fi for live streaming, real-time remote viewing and ‘direct-to-cloud’ recording
*Blend fixed, mobile and body-worn cameras, in turn making it easier for the entire surveillance system to work together
*Stream to a dedicated Monitoring Centre or Security Operations Centre and use geo-tagging for immediate response and support
*Experience a larger viewing area with fisheye capabilities (the latter are ‘de-warped’ in the Eagle Eye Networks Cloud Management Application
*Manage a large number of cameras in the cloud and observe the generated images from a dedicated Control Room
*Use two-way audio to clearly communicate
*Protect individuals at work and in the community
*Future-proof the investment made with hardened cameras that offer ‘law enforcement-level’ durability and quality at an affordable price
*Gain flexibility for live streaming and video retrieval during docking with rapid recharge capabilities
Demand growing
“The demand for high-quality body cameras that connect to the cloud has been growing for several years now,” commented Dean Drako, founder and CEO of Eagle Eye Networks, “but has accelerated even more due to the pandemic, social unrest and the shift towards providing more remote services. Traditional law enforcement body cameras use a high-price subscription model, which is too steeply priced for commercial customers. Eagle Eye Networks will support the new Eagle Eye body cameras at the same low subscription cost of fixed cameras, making the solution affordable for commercial customers accustomed to paying up-front for advanced cameras with affordable long-term subscriptions.”
Body cameras are initially available on the Eagle Eye Networks CameraManager platform, with availability on the Eagle Eye Cloud Video Management System (VMS) in 2022. The Eagle Eye Networks body cameras can also be protected with Eagle Eye Networks’ rapid replacement service.
*Further information is available on the Eagle Eye Networks website
Global security manufacturer Gallagher has been recognised in the 2021 Fortress Cyber Security Awards as a winner in the Authentication and Identity category for its MIFARE DESFire key migration enhancement. The US award recognises the world’s leading companies and products that are working to keep data and assets safe amid increasing threats from hackers.
Designed in response to the growing sophistication of cyber attacks upon credential security, Gallagher’s MIFARE DESFire key migration enhancement helps organisations to mitigate the risk of card cloning or tampering through the improved management of key encoding used to read card credentials. This intelligent enhancement allows for cardholder credentials to be silently updated with newly defined site-specific keys for a secure and seamless cardholder experience.
Steve Bell
“There’s no doubt that cyber crime is evolving rapidly and that this is a growing concern for many organisations around the world,” said Steve Bell (pictured), Chief Technology Officer at Gallagher. “What was produced a decade ago may present weaknesses today. This was the basis for developing the DESFire key migration enhancement so that we could give our customers an easy way in which to securely migrate site access control keys.”
As part of its commitment to cyber security, Gallagher’s security solutions are fully authenticated and encrypted to meet global standards, including the FIPS-201 standards in the US, Type 1A in Australia and also the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure’s Cyber Assurance of Physical Security Systems standard here in the UK.
Offering resistance to attack and extreme weather, in addition to wire-free installation and battery-powered operation, the SMARTair i-gate electronic padlock is built for use almost anywhere. This new device in the SMARTair wireless access control range from ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions enables security and facility managers to add real-time control to non-electrified gates, cupboards, cabinets, closets and crates wherever they are and whatever the climate.
For many organisations, security and access needs do not stop at the perimeter door, yet finding reliable locking devices which are easy to operate with an electronic access system can be difficult. Gates and outbuildings are hard to reach with cabling. Access devices may not have the resilience required for reliable operation outdoors. The i-gate is built to meet these challenges.
“The SMARTair i-gate electronic padlock helps our customers extend wire-free control to new access points,” explained Félix Morán, SMARTair product manager at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEA. “It can be instantly moved to wherever a resistant and adaptable locking device is needed. Site managers no longer need to worry about outbuildings, gates, cupboards and more. They can now monitor and control access to them electronically, remotely and in real-time when needed.”
System upgrade
Upgrading an existing padlocked closure simply involves swapping the devices and integrating the i-gate padlock into an existing or new SMARTair wireless access control system. No drilling or wiring is required.
The i-gate electronic padlock is available in a contemporary black finish with stainless steel shackle. Exterior and interior openings previously unsuited to electronic access control can now be controlled and monitored from a familiar software interface, including remotely from the SMARTair Web Manager.
An i-gate padlock is compatible with any SMARTair system management option: standalone (for basic access control functionality), update on card, Openow (for access management and unlocking via smart phone) and Pro Wireless Online for real-time management of every door and system user.
Compatibility with any credential
The SMARTair i-gate padlock is robust enough for almost any climate conditions. It has a watertight cover (with an IP68 rating) and an internal cylinder with durability to an EN 15684 Class 6 certification. These padlocks are battery-powered and work with all standard proximity credential technologies, including MIFARE, DESFire and iCLASS, as well as Bluetooth Low Energy.
When combined with Openow, the mobile solution for SMARTair, end users no longer need to carry separate card or fob credentials. Instead, their phone stores secure virtual keys which can be issued, amended or cancelled at any time.
No-one wastes time collecting or validating an access card. They can unlock the new SMARTair i-gate padlock with a smart phone. With the Openow solution, an individual carrying their smart phone is already carrying their keys.
Pick Protection, a next generation provider of lone worker protection devices, has signed up with an online disruptor platform which is “revolutionising” how the security service industry works in the current day.
instaENG is a technical services purchasing platform which matches security engineers directly with purchases. Glasgow-based Pick Protection, which offers an holistic suite of lone worker protection products and services that enable safety through technology, will be able to connect with instaENG suppliers through the platform.
User-friendly platform
Tim Henstock, lone worker consultant at Pick Protection, said: “The ease at which the platform connects security service engineers to purchases caught our attention. We loved the idea of a user-friendly platform that transforms how the industry connects and, while we have been performing tremendously well over the last few months, we saw this as an opportunity to grow our clientele even more.”
Henstock continued: “While we already do sell our products and services to some security companies, I believe that instaENG will be instrumental in helping us to build relationships in the longer term with a growing base of customers. We are excited to hit the ground running with it. Health and Safety is very close to our hearts here at Pick Protection and we’re confident that our products can help lone workers feel safer when carrying out jobs externally.”
Further, Henstock observed: “instaENG is a great repository of like-minded companies and is a simple, quick and efficient way of putting our products in front of the right people at the right time. Together, I believe we can address the changing dynamics of the working environment.”
Dynamic platform
Guy Dungworth, co-founder of instaENG, responded: “Pick Protection is a prime example of how dynamic our platform really is. Not only are we able to match the right security service engineer to the right job, but we are also now able to provide access to the security and protection that lone workers may need when on a job externally.”
He added: “We’re incredibly excited to have Pick Protection on our platform and I’m confident that they will be able to secure some great leads through instaENG in no time. It’s fantastic to see the growth of the platform in such a short time and I very much look forward to what the future brings.”
The UK Cyber Security Association has officially launched and is now open for membership. Individuals and organisations who actively work in the cyber security industry can now join as members and be part of “a strong and caring community” in the cyber security industry.
The UK Cyber Security Association will work to a clear vision, mission and set of objectives that ensures Best Practice and information sharing across the cyber security industry here in the UK and internationally. The primary focus of the UK Cyber Security Association will be to build a dedicated community of individuals and organisations who actively work in cyber security both in the UK and overseas. This will allow collaboration to combat the growing cyber threat.
In addition, the UK Cyber Security Association will raise awareness of the growing cyber threat through proactive thought leadership and education/training that focuses on how individuals and organisations can protect themselves as much as possible from cyber crime and all types of online and offline fraud.
Some of the benefits that members can expect on joining the organisation include access to a community online forum and portal to meet and interact with other members, quarterly member briefing events, partnership opportunities, access to a programme of events and training sessions as well as regular e-mail updates. Further, members will have numerous opportunities to take part in Working Groups designed to help shape the UK Cyber Security Association as it grows and develops.
Gap in the market
The UK Cyber Security Association is the brainchild of founder and CEO Lisa Ventura, an award-winning cyber security professional based in Worcester. Ventura spotted a gap in the market for a strong community in cyber security that aims to bring individuals, organisations and other cyber security-related groups together to share information and Best Practice in the industry.
Hence the UK Cyber Security Association was born in 2019. Since then, it has been in an ‘expressions of interest’ phase and undertaken project work and campaigns in various focus areas such as women in cyber security, neurodiversity and cyber security, the cyber skills gap, cyber security for small businesses and SMEs and the importance of staying safe online when working remotely during the pandemic.
An overall aim is to work closely with Government and other trade bodies and cyber security groups to share Best Practice and initiatives. As previously reported by Security Matters, another initiative with which the UK Cyber Security Association is involved entails the production of a documentary called ‘Safer Cyber Spaces’. That’s being produced in conjunction with ITN Productions. The organisation is also working on cyber crime-centric documentary with the BBC.
Growth in cyber crime
Commenting on the official launch of the UK Cyber Security Association, Lisa Ventura said: “Cyber crime has grown exponentially in recent years, and especially so during the global pandemic. It has never been more important for individuals and organisations to take their cyber security seriously. We’re delighted with the response to the idea of a membership association for the cyber security community and look forward to welcoming and helping our members as we grow and develop.”
Security & Safety Things has announced the launch of its second App Challenge to spur additional creative development in video analytic applications. Participating developers now have the opportunity to submit proposals for apps designed to address specific security, safety and business optimisation use cases in the retail, transportation, sports stadiums, entertainment and healthcare verticals.
The apps will be designed to run on smart cameras using the Security & Safety Things open camera operating system and the open Internet of Things platform, which enables cameras to run a variety of applications simultaneously to perform different functions. The camera OS is based on the developer-friendly Android Open Source Project.
“While many vertical markets share a core set of operational needs, individual organisations also have unique requirements based on the nuances of their location, customer base or other circumstances,” explained Adam Wynne, head of the Security & Safety Things Innovation Accelerator based in Pittsburgh. “We are calling on the collective creativity and unique perspectives of the developer community to help solve distinct customer challenges, whether that’s a standalone solution or one based on a combination of different applications.”
Different use cases
For this year’s challenge, a variety of systems integrators responded to a Security & Safety Things survey asking for customer needs and challenges in four vertical market categories. Based on this feedback, developers will be tasked with creating innovative video analytics applications to address a host of different use cases, including:
*Unmanned aerial detection for drones and other flying objects in stadiums or during large events
*Suspicious behaviour analytics for the detection of fighting or stealing
*Customer conversion and ‘out of stock’ analytics in retail spaces
*Cargo protection for the detection of vandalism and theft in car parks and other facilities
*Hygiene and PPE checks in healthcare facilities, as well as anomaly detection for unusual behaviour in Care Homes
Three winners will be chosen by an invited panel of 20 prominent integrators and awarded individual prizes. Winners will also be invited to showcase their solution at the Security & Safety Things stand at escon 2021 (depending on the COVID-19 situation). All participating developers will be able to benefit from various co-marketing opportunities with Security & Safety Things throughout the duration of the challenge.
The winning apps from the 2020 App Challenge provided solutions for retail and commercial buildings, transportation and Smart Cities, manufacturing and also logistics categories. Overall, the challenge resulted in 20-plus new applications being added to the Security & Safety Things Application Store.
Timeline for entries
Developers can submit multiple proposals for more than one vertical by 26 April. Proposals will be reviewed and the most promising will be chosen by the panel to proceed with development. Developers will have from 29 April until 31 July to create their solution(s).
Once developed, the apps will need to be uploaded to the Application Store by 31 July. Security & Safety Things and the panel will test and review the apps.
The Police Crime Prevention Academy is currently working with the Home Office, providing bespoke training with a focus on crime prevention and designing out crime.
Guy Collyer, head of the Police Crime Prevention Academy, said: “We value the opportunity to assist Home Office staff in gaining a more detailed understanding of this critical work within policing.”
The Home Office is instrumental in protecting the public and keeping people safe, recently launching the second £20 million round of the Safer Streets Fund for Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities to invest in a range of crime prevention measures across high crime areas in England and Wales.
The Police Crime Prevention Academy is part of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, the police-owned, non-profit organisation that works on behalf of the police service throughout the UK, duly delivering a wide range of crime prevention and police demand reduction initiatives.
Close working links
The Academy maintains close working links with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, as well as senior police officers, and is the established supplier to the police service for crime prevention learning and development.
Not only does the Academy offer a local delivery option that significantly reduces costs, but it also provides the flexibility to dovetail content into Continuing Professional Development and reflect local issues.
The Police Crime Prevention Academy also delivers several qualifications to the private sector, working closely with local authorities and relevant specialists such as architects and planners, and offers a number of distance and virtual learning qualifications.
The Academy prides itself in keeping the quality of qualifications at a premium and the costs of its service delivery at a minimum.
Bidvest Noonan has unveiled plans to introduce “disruptive new technologies” designed to bring about the company’s vision for “truly touchless and frictionless” security.
The business has just recruited industry heavy-hitter Stephen Webb (pictured below) as its director of technology solutions. Webb boasts over 20 years’ experience in leading the development of security technology businesses here in the UK and also in North America.
Bidvest Noonan has accelerated its innovation and technology programmes in response to the pandemic. The business saw working practices change and clients grappling with a host of new problems during what has been a challenging period. The company’s security solutions team sought technology-enhanced systems to help clients keep their people safe, ensure business continuity and find new ways of achieving their longer-term objectives.
The company set its sights on leveraging Artificial Intelligence-enhanced, cloud-based and biometric-focused security systems with a view towards transforming and unifying areas such as access control, alarm monitoring, video surveillance and visitor management.
Stephen Webb’s appointment to what is a newly-created senior leadership role signals the business’ commitment to advancing its security technology plans.
Commenting on this development, Eddie Ingram (managing director of Security Solutions at Bidvest Noonan) informed Security Matters: “I’m thrilled to welcome Stephen to our team. He has a proven track record for leveraging technology to deliver performance improvements and added value to clients. He will play an important role in the development of our ambitious security technology plans and I know he will be very successful at Bidvest Noonan.”
Comelit has extended its security offer for end users by delivering a wireless intruder alarm system. Designed to seamlessly operate with its inclusive app technology, Secur Hub allows businesses to not only control their door entry and CCTV, but also their intruder alarm regime.
The Italian security specialist, which is well known for its high specification solutions, has launched Secur Hub as an intruder alarm system natively connected to the Comelit Cloud, which itself encompasses both Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity.
Secur Hub operates a high-performance, two-way radio link between the control panel and the sensors. It allows up to 16 IP CCTV cameras with HD resolution to connect to the control panel for users to view in live stream mode via the Comelit app and facilitates the recording of four cameras on alarm events for visual verification.
Francesca Boeris, Comelit’s UK managing director, explained: “To maintain and grow our position as a premier security specialist, we’re constantly evolving our solutions to present future-proof technology that keeps people and their places of work protected, in turn using the Internet of Things to deliver the latest app-friendly solutions.”
Boeris added: “We’re also conscious of the need for simplifying the installation process to enable more installers to be able to offer this smart technology. Secur Hub’s functional design extends to all devices that communicate with the control panel and allows the system to be installed quickly. The support of a built-in intuitive wizard offers instant peace of mind and security.”
Setting the system
Specifically designed for quick installation, Secur Hub doesn’t require ports to be opened on the router – even for the app – for both system management and for viewing any connected CCTV cameras.
Via the app, end users can set or unset the alarm system, check the status of each sensor and organise notifications or view the control panel event log.
Boeris concluded: “Secur Hub is an exciting and innovative launch that really uses the best of our technology to offer a smart solution with the kind of stylish design that installers have come to expect from us. When combined with the Comelit app, it presents the perfect solution for the end user.”
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