HID Global has successfully completed the implementation of HID Mobile Access and HID Signo readers in Claro, one of the largest wireless telecommunications companies in the world.

With several locations around the continent, Claro is the telecom leader in Argentina. There, the company has thousands of employees, so it was spending significant time and money maintaining stock for new credentials, replacing lost or broken ones, as well as purchasing supplies. Additionally, Claro saw the increasing need to improve traceability and ensure proper utilisation of the credentials given to Claro’s staff.

Upgrading the existing access control system into HID Mobile Access was a logical step in order to increase convenience and efficiency without compromising security. Not only would employees be able to use their mobile device as a credential to access ports, networks and services, but Claro would also be able to remotely manage their credentials in a centralised, simplified manner.

HID Signo readers were also part of the upgrade, as they offer reliable performance and security. Beyond its sleek, modern design, this advanced reader supports an unmatched range of credential technologies. For Claro, this means the system is more flexible and future-proof.

Finally, with the HID Origo platform, the company was able to optimise its access control system and, at the same time, improve credential management and administration of identifications. Through the online management portal, Claro administrators can now quickly create, manage, issue and revoke credentials through the cloud.

“With mobile credentials stored on smartphones, employees can access offices and other areas more efficiently and conveniently using a short-range gesture (tap) or a simple intuitive long-range “Twist & Go” gesture, all while minimizing the risk of losing the credential, as it is less frequent for people to borrow, forget or lose their phones,” states Héctor Hernán Lissandrello, Physical and Electronic Security Analyst at Claro.

So far, according to HID, the company has issued more than 800 mobile credentials and installed about 100 Signo readers in its facilities. It plans to fully deploy Mobile Access in the months to come.

Zenitel, a leading provider of intelligent communication solutions, launched two new door entry intercoms: the Turbine Extended Intercoms TEIV1+ and the TEIV4+.

“Secure, Convenient Access” is the key message behind the product launch. “Our goal is to help security system integrators and building owners simplify and secure their access control solutions. We also want to provide them with the freedom to select third-party accessories to meet their project’s requirements,” says Peter McKeag, Product Manager for Zenitel.

The TEIV1+ is designed to simplify a visitor’s experience with PIN-based access control and easy-to-use scroll and direct calls. The TEIV4+ is designed to provide convenient access with a card reader of the user’s choice. With the TEIV4+ it is also possible to house leading access control card readers like HID & Elatec, removing the need for separate card reader mounting products.

Extending on Zenitel’s renowned Turbine platform, both new intercoms are engineered to provide the best audio and video communication performance tailored to every environment. Zenitel’s solutions deliver the best audio technology, with Automatic Volume Control, Acoustic Echo Cancellation, and Active Noise Reduction features. This new range further expands its feature set with a wide-angle lens and exceptional low-light performance while maintaining HD video quality.

For more information, contact Zenitel at marketing@zenitel.com.

EFSG, an association of European certification bodies operating in the fire and security sectors, and Euralarm’s Task Force EFSG have been working closely together on a common application form for EFSG certification. The form was published recently and can be used for making an application for multiple certifications.

The new form is intended to reduce the number of separate forms that manufacturers need to complete when submitting an application for certification with EFSG members. The common application form will allow one application to be accepted by all EFSG members followed by a central project management process within EFSG, which should help improve overall certification timescales.

This single form will be accepted by AFNOR, BRE Global, CNPP, DBI and Vds for applications to certify fire detection and fire alarm equipment to the EN 54 standards, smoke alarms to EN 14604 and power supplies to EN 12101-10 within the scope of EFSG’s mutual recognition agreement.

Step forwards

The common application form is a step forward. The promise is that the single applications form and the central project management process within EFSG support one-stop testing and improve the time to market for new and modified products. It contains all necessary contractual information of each certification body thereby removing the need for separate applications. The exception is BRE Global – their terms and conditions are provided with the quotation.

However, the success of the new form depends on the companies using it. Local work instructions and quality processes may require modification to use the new form. Euralarm supports the use of the common application form. Therefore, Euralarm calls on manufacturers to implement or incorporate the common application form in their processes. Meanwhile, the organisation also calls on EFSG to use the new process to drive improvements in the certification process.

The common application form and the accompanying appendices are available to download from the EFSG website. Incorporated into the form is a check box used to identify applications related to product changes implemented due to component shortages and which require fast-track certification.

In a newly published report, the global physical security market size is projected to grow from USD 110.2 billion in 2023 to USD 136.9 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period. This is all according to research company Marketsandmarkets, whose analysts suggest that growth in the use of IP-based cameras for video surveillance and the rise in instances of malicious activities and security breaches to physical systems are driving the growth of the physical security market.

Managed Services

Effective management of business processes in contemporary corporate contexts requires the adoption of proven approaches across organisations. Organisations are forced to outsource some tasks since maintaining internal services requires more time, there aren’t enough resources, and it costs more money. Managed service providers offer to guarantee the protection of important corporate data as well as the efficiency of business processes. Customers are assisted by managed service providers to maintain their hardware, software, physical security systems, and solutions up to date with the most recent improvements. Customers’ internal capacities are increased when MSPs protect their physical assets and IT system assets.

Access Control as a Service Shows Market Strength

The demand for ACaaS is rising across verticals because of its distinguishing characteristics, such as remote management, scalability, real-time control, data security, and secure communications. The importance of access control lies in its ability to bolster the overall security posture of an organisation, providing a flexible and scalable solution to meet specific needs, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure the safety of personnel and valuable assets.

Asia Pacific’s Strongest Region

Due to the region’s rising crime rate, physical security solutions are quickly gaining popularity across Asia and the Pacific. Security-related worries are becoming more prevalent, particularly in China, Malaysia, Australia, and India. Therefore, the government of several of these nations is encouraging the implementation of physical security measures to manage such a circumstance. Countries such as China have invested heavily in smart city programmes, and according to Marketsandmarkets, it is planning to spend USD 39 billion on smart cities. Smart cities heavily rely on physical security solutions, which is also driving the physical security market in the region.

Major Players

Some of the key players mentioned in the report as active in this sector include Johnson Controls, Bosch, Honeywell, Cisco, Telus, Wesco, Genetec, HID global, Pelco, HIkvision, Gallagher, Secom, Allied Universal, Dahua, Axis, Hanwha Vision, Teledyne Flir, Hexagon, General Dynamics, BAE Systems, Huawei, NEC and others.

The global cyber security market size is projected to reach USD 500.70 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 12.3% from 2023 to 2030, according to the latest estimates from Grand View Research.

The researchers expect the global market to be driven by growing cyber threats and advanced malware threats across different verticals. In recent years, disruptive and emerging technologies in the banking, retail, information technology, defence, and manufacturing sectors have provided new capabilities, facilitated automation, and improved working conditions. They have, however, emerged as powerful forces in the evolution of the global threat landscape of exploits, vulnerabilities, and malware.

Advancements in emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), big data analytics, Internet-of-Things (IoT), 5G, edge computing, and cloud computing, are allowing market players to introduce new solutions based on these technologies, attract potential business clients, and expand their revenue streams.

Digitalisation Is Boosting Investment

 For instance, in April 2023, Google, Inc. introduced Cloud Security AI Workbench, Sec-PaLM. This new model encompasses various security intelligence, such as threat indicators, & research on software vulnerabilities, and offers AI-powered tools to assist and act on cyber security threats.

The ongoing digitalisation wave has resulted in significant changes in the telecom sector. Telecom companies are investing in the latest technologies, such as 5G, IoT, and cloud, which are expected to generate enormous opportunities for the IT & telecom cybersecurity market. As the BYOPC model of remote control and business (Bring-Your-Own-PC) expands with a significant increase in the number of edge devices, content migration and device management will require a more rigorous approach, which will further encourage the adoption of integrated cyber security solutions.

The cloud segment is expected to register a CAGR of 13.0% from 2023 to 2030. The shifting end-user companies’ focus toward cloud-based solutions owing to minimum hardware requirements, low operating costs, and diverse solution availability is supporting segment growth. The market players are establishing strategic partnerships with cloud technology providers to develop DDoS protection solutions. The research suggests that the cloud security segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of more than 15.0% from 2023 to 2030.

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA has acquired Kinetron, a leading specialist in motion-based energy harvesting systems for self-powered products, as part of its efforts to accelerate growth and continue its journey as a leader in digital access solutions.

“Kinetron is a strategic technological addition to the ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA division and will reinforce our offering in energy harvesting locking solutions that are energy efficient, maintenance free and environmentally friendly. It will provide complementary growth opportunities for our digital access solutions business segment, where we drive innovation to deliver profitable sustainable growth,” says Neil Vann, EVP & Head of ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA.

“Kinetron brings 35 years of experience in developing and manufacturing motion-based energy harvesting systems that enable self-powered intelligent products and facilitate the growth of electronic and IoT solutions in a sustainable way. Their mission of ‘Energy Harvesting Excellence’ comes together nicely with our vision for Digital Access Solutions (DAS) to create an access control ecosystem, that connects all our Assa Abloy hardware through one interface in a sustainable way, so we can continue to improve people’s lives even further,” says David Moser, SVP & Head of Digital Access Solutions EMEIA.

Kinetron was established in 1984, with its main office located in Tilburg, Netherlands.

Quanergy Solutions, a leading provider of 3D Lidar security solutions, has established a strategic partnership with Teledyne FLIR, a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing thermal imaging infrared cameras. This collaboration offers a seamlessly integrated solution that stands uniquely poised to tackle intricate security challenges faced by critical infrastructure environments, including utilities, data centres, and airports.

These locations often feature uneven terrain and numerous obstacles, compounded by inadequate lighting conditions that hinder situational awareness. In response, users have histerically increased the sensitivity settings on their existing systems, resulting in a surge of false alarms and costly on-site guard services. Quanergy’s Q-Track is a seamlessly integrated solution that combines Quanergy’s long-range 3D Lidar sensors with advanced perception software. This solution provides users with hyper-accurate 3D intelligent proactive awareness to reduce false alarms and save lives.

The FLIR Elara DX-Series multispectral pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) security camera provides full situational awareness in the most punishing environments. Combining thermal and visible light imagers, the Elara DX-Series gives operators the ability to monitor large areas in complete darkness, glaring light, and adverse weather. Multispectral cameras’ detection and identification capabilities help integrators provide solutions for challenging imaging problems at critical infrastructure sites and remote facilities.

This new integration allows Q-Track to send object location, both relative and absolute, to a FLIR thermal camera such as the DX-Series PTZ camera which combines thermal and visible light images. This enables a ‘Slew to Cue’ event-to-action workflow where the camera, powered by the actionable intelligence from the Lidar system can continuously track a bad actor throughout the entire perimeter of a site, regardless of the harsh weather conditions or bad/no lighting.

Thanks to Q-Track’s innovative object stitching mechanism the solution can also track objects in areas that have a lot of obstacles. Multiple Quanergy sensors can be stitched together to form a mesh network where an object’s information can be passed from sensor to sensor so that users never lose sight of any potential threats.

Matt Strautman, Director, of Global Business Development – Security, Teledyne FLIR, said: “The partnership with Quanergy gives us the opportunity to present a complete solution in specific areas where we cannot use our sensors for detection. The combination of our two sensors not only helps with threats of intrusion but improves safety by quickly locating and tracking targets in all types of dangerous situations/terrains/areas.”