Security systems developer Vanderbilt joins Euralarm

The Board of Directors at Euralarm has welcomed Vanderbilt as the newest member of the long-standing and influential association of European security and fire safety solution manufacturers, installers and service providers, with the security systems developer joining the Security Section. The latter represents companies involved with CCTV, intruder alarms and access control and serves as a key stakeholder in organisations such as CertAlarm, CEN-CENELEC, IEC and, indeed, the European Commission.

The Security Section collaborates on a regular basis in a bid to find security solutions in what is now a digitised and somewhat challenging world. Section meetings feature recognised experts offering presentations on topics such as the standardisation landscape within the video surveillance market.

Importantly, the Security Section liaises with key standardisation groups in the security field and closely follows technological developments with a view towards guiding regulation and standardisation. In terms of standards, the Security Section informs member companies of changes and advocacy activities at both the national and European Union (EU) levels.

Being a member of Euralarm, Vanderbilt will enjoy access to the extended network of national associations and major companies in the electronic fire safety and security sectors. Membership of Euralarm will realise opportunities for both parties as it also strengthens the association.

Vanderbilt is a global provider of high-performance security systems for access control and intrusion detection. The business is recognised for its future-proof, innovative and easy-to-use portfolio that contains access control systems including the ACT365 and ACT Enterprise and the popular SPC and SPC Connect intruder detection solutions.

A strong advocate of open platforms and system integration, Vanderbilt (itself an ACRE brand) understands the issues customers face and provides multiple solutions that are designed to meet these needs.

Expertise on markets and opportunities

Companies joining Euralarm benefit from a unique insight into what is happening in European markets and the opportunities they might offer. They can not only tap into the political expertise and understanding that underpins EU policy, but also make personal connections with technical and political experts as well as potential business partners.

Euralarm members have their voice heard in Brussels and can actively support and direct standardisation and legislative processes.

Founded back in 1970, Euralarm now represents over 5,000 companies within the fire safety and security industry valued at 67 billion Euros. The membership comprises national associations and individual companies from across the European region.

Electronic Fire and Security Industry Symposium 2018 topics announced by Euralarm

The newest edition of the Euralarm Symposium will take place in Bucharest on 4 June next year. In five years, the conference has established itself as one of the most important when it comes to significant market developments in innovation, legislation, regulation and standardisation as they affect the electronic security and fire safety sector.

Never shying away from controversial topics impacting the industry and with a view to providing business relevance, the annual event is aimed at Euralarm members, namely companies within the industry and national associations across Europe. It’s set to attract a large crowd. Notably, European stakeholders – both from institutions and advocacy groups – are expected to join the conference.

Topics for the 2018 Euralarm Symposium have been chosen for their broad appeal. The common thread will be the continually changing business environment and how this can be addressed to offset the challenges that globalisation and technological developments have set for the industry.

Qualifying to compete In today’s market, companies must qualify to compete. The EN 16763 Services Standard – one of the first to focus on the tertiary sector – was only a stepping stone. National players must now set out to outline how skills, experience and knowledge are verified and establish qualifications that are valid ‘across Europe’.

Keeping Security secure In the context of the EU General Data Protection Regulation and ever-evolving cyber security risks, the fire safety and security industry must define and implement measures to protect its products and solutions. Measures for IT infrastructures essential to the industry must be implemented while at the same time keeping European citizens secure.

Regulating construction products Euralarm’s Construction Products Regulation (CPR) Task Force is studying the influence of the CPR on the harmonised standards for fire safety. The objective is to develop a common understanding of how the CPR impacts the market today and how best to deal with the problems that Technical Committees such as CEN/TC 72 and CEN/TC 191 are facing. The Symposium will be the occasion for presenting and discussing the resulting publication and reaching out to EU stakeholders.

Lance Rütimann, Euralarm’s Advocacy Committee chairman, said: “The challenges for our industry are more complex with noticeable increases in both technical and regulatory developments and the resulting demand on new skills. We will embrace this exciting time with confidence to find the answers that can drive the growth and successful evolution of the market.”

ONVIF joins IoT Panel discussion at TechSec Solutions 2017

ONVIF, the global standardisation initiative for IP-based physical security products, has announced that it will be presenting at TechSec Solutions 2017 (which runs on 27-28 February at the Delray Beach Marriott Hotel in Palm Beach County, Florida) as part of a Panel discussion on standards, Best Practice, cyber security and the Internet of Things.

Jonathan Lewit, chair of the ONVIF Communication Committee, will be speaking on behalf of ONVIF and is be one of four panellists discussing ‘The Future of IoT: Taming Security’s Wild West’. Other speakers include Neil Lakomiak of Underwriters’ Laboratories, Mitchell Klein of the Z-Wave Alliance and Jim Coleman of Operational Security Systems. The discussion is to be moderated by Paul Ragusa, Editor of Security Systems News.

“Standards are an essential part of the conversation when considering any scenario in which disparate elements must work together to provide actionable intelligence or automation, which the Internet of Things often seeks to do,” said Per Björkdahl, chairman of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “Jonathan will bring an ONVIF perspective to the debate, shedding light on how standardisation and ONVIF specifications can build vital bridges between clients and devices and, indeed, between IP-based systems.”

Lewit, who also serves as director of technology leadership for Pelco by Schneider-Electric, will touch on the array of connected devices and open platforms in the market that use common communication protocols to work together, including smart homes, buildings and cities.

The speakers will examine how standards, the establishment of Best Practice, interoperability, cyber security and other trends are helping to shape the future of the physical security industry.

Lewit will be speaking on Monday 27 February at 9.30 am. For more information visit: www.tecsechsolutions.com