Securitas has signed an expanded 5-year agreement to provide data centre security for Microsoft in 31 countries, solidifying a strong relationship.

Securitas has been delivering security solutions for Microsoft since 2005, building a foundation of trust and collaboration. The global agreement, which began in November 2016, includes risk management, comprehensive security technology as a system integrator, specialised safety, and security resources, guarding services and digital interfaces, as well as global account management.

The agreement, effective from July 1, 2023, reflects Securitas’ commitment to mutual success. With shared values centred on trust, ethics, and sustainability, Securitas builds on a stable foundation for providing exceptional services while promoting a secure and inclusive environment.

“Securitas and Microsoft are a great match”, continues Magnus Ahlqvist, President and CEO of Securitas. “We have developed a strong relationship with Microsoft over the years thanks to our extensive global presence, industry expertise, and solid governance. Through our consistent dedication, we have gained insight into their requirements, enabling us to deliver exceptional security solutions.”

Looking ahead, Securitas has outlined long-term goals for the collaboration. Innovation and the integration of technology are key focus areas for Securitas to achieve an optimal balance between guarding and advanced security solutions.

“Trust is paramount in our industry”, says Mark Plesnicher, Head of Datacenter Physical Security, Microsoft. “We are confident that Securitas will ensure that our data centre physical security programme remains innovative, robust, and effective. They have demonstrated stability as a collaborator, assisting us in navigating the challenges of our swiftly expanding business. We recognise the value of our relationship with Securitas and anticipate its future growth.”

This expanded contract between Securitas and Microsoft marks an important milestone in their relationship. With a shared vision, strong cultural alignment, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Securitas and Microsoft are poised to achieve great accomplishments together.

HID Global has made public its intent to acquire Evolis, a prominent manufacturer of card printers and related supplies. This strategic move merges two key players in the desktop printer market, enriching HID’s printer portfolio, expanding its geographic influence, and augmenting its capacity to cater to diverse industry needs.

Evolis specializes in the creation, production, and distribution of printers and software for personalizing physical credentials. With an established network of partners, Evolis has secured a robust global position in instantly issuing physical credentials, including ID cards, access control badges, payment cards, and personalized credentials.

The proposed purchase price for a full acquisition of Evolis stands at EUR 228.6 million, translating to EUR 43.75 per share of Evolis.

Björn Lidefelt, EVP and Head of HID, expresses excitement about this prospect, stating, “I am looking forward to welcoming Evolis into the HID family. Joining forces with a strong industry player like Evolis would enable us to better meet our customers’ needs and provides complementary growth opportunities across product, geographical, and vertical market presence.”

Evolis History

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Angers, France, Evolis is recognized for its printers and software dedicated to personalizing physical credentials. Employing around 380 individuals, the company operates an efficient manufacturing facility spanning 110,000 square feet. Its established distribution network has solidified its position as a global leader in instant issuance of physical credentials across various sectors. Evolis’ revenue primarily stems from card printers and supplies, supplemented by software offerings such as Cardpresso, Badge Studio, and Edikio. The company also produces printers tailored for kiosk compatibility, a factor that aligns with HID’s expansion goals.

Craig Sandness, SVP and Head of Secure Issuance at HID, emphasizes, “Incorporating Evolis into HID’s Secure Issuance business would reassert our expansion and commitment to leading the desktop printer space. Thanks to Evolis’ strong knowledge of the market, as well as its highly complementary product offering, we look forward to enhancing our offerings to meet a growing population of customers across industries and locations.”

Evolis and HID: Synergistic Advancement

The plan is for Evolis to join HID’s Secure Issuance Business Area, under the leadership of Craig Sandness, operating as its distinct Business Unit. Evolis would leverage HID’s sales and global functions to amplify its offerings.

Emmanuel Picot, Co-Founder and President of Evolis, envisions promising prospects in this collaboration, stating, “Since 1999, our ambition has been to be and continue to be the global leader in decentralized printing of personalized cards. Together, we look forward to creating even more value for our customers, combining our expertise and know-how to create new development opportunities. This would be a big step forward for Evolis, and we are very excited at the prospect of joining HID with the ambition of being stronger together.”

The smart stadium market is projected to grow from $14.3 billion in 2023 to a remarkable $34.5 billion by 2028, boasting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 19.2%, according to the latest data coming from researchers at Marketsandmarkets.

This exponential growth is primarily propelled by remarkable advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, data analytics, cloud computing, and the proliferation of mobile applications. An imperative catalyst is the pressing need for optimizing venue operations, crowd management, and security, all of which converge to drive better resource allocation and cost savings for stadium management.

Services Segment Driving Growth

 The services segment within this market is expected to outpace others in terms of growth, encompassing consulting services, deployment and integration solutions, and support and maintenance services. This upward trajectory is substantiated by an increasing demand for enhanced operational efficiency, sustainability measures, and adaptability to the ever-evolving landscape of business dynamics. Consequently, smart stadium services are being embraced with enthusiasm across diverse geographical regions.

A pivotal pillar of the smart stadium ecosystem, network management platforms, are garnering significant attention. These platforms establish seamless communication channels that interconnect stadiums, the workforce, and fans. This seamless connectivity ensures users have access to IT services anytime and anywhere. Notably, these platforms empower network administrators to promptly detect network failures and real-time issues, enabling swift resolution by notifying support personnel. The intensifying frequency of global sporting events has catalyzed the demand for robust and efficient data networks, crucial for the seamless execution of daily stadium operations and management.

Pivotal Role of Network Management Platforms

 The support and maintenance sector occupies a strategic niche, providing vital services to ensure uninterrupted functionality and continuous improvements for smart stadium devices. The impetus behind this sector’s growth stems from a confluence of factors, including the pursuit of amplified profitability, enriched fan experiences, streamlined communication channels, and bolstered stadium infrastructure. A key driver in this context is the necessity for technical expertise to guarantee heightened reliability and minimal downtime, further augmenting the growth trajectory of this sector.

A vibrant growth avenue within this landscape is the domain of digital content management. The escalating adoption of web-based digital solutions and services by stadium operators has contributed to the rapid growth of this market segment. The seamless integration of internet resources and sports analytics is propelling stadium operators to leverage mobile apps and web services to enhance the overall fan experience, resulting in heightened engagement and satisfaction.

The global outlook underscores Europe as a frontrunner in the smart stadium market. This region’s growth trajectory is sustained by proactive funding policies at both European Union (EU) and individual state levels. European sports organizations are proactively embracing smart stadium solutions to remain competitive. Notably, countries like the UK, known for their football and cricket fervor, are making substantial investments to preserve their competitive edge within the industry. Various European governments have initiated ambitious research and development ventures, seeking to transform traditional stadiums into cutting-edge smart facilities by integrating IoT solutions and harnessing the power of 5G connectivity.

Among the key players driving this evolution, prominent names include IBM, Ericsson, Intel, NTT, Tech Mahindra, Johnson Controls Siemens, Honeywell, Cisco, NEC, Huawei, Schneider, NXP Semiconductors, Atos, Verizon, AT&T, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Telefonica, VIX Technology, Hawk Eye, Ucopia, Allgovision, Aifi, Pixellot, Locbee, Dignia, and GP Smart Stadium. This consortium of industry leaders is collectively steering the transformation of stadiums into intelligent hubs that not only host sports and events but also provide a futuristic, connected experience for all stakeholders involved.

According to Adroit Market Research, the market for access control was estimated to be worth USD 10 Billion in 2023, and by 2029, it is anticipated to grow to USD 15 billion, with a CAGR of 8.5%. Cloud-based access control solutions are gaining popularity quickly due to their adaptability, scalability, and cost.

Access control is a top priority for organissations in a variety of sectors, including government, business, industrial, and residential, in response to the growing number of security risks and events. The need for access control is being driven by the requirement for effective access control methods to stop unauthorised access, data breaches, and security breaches. The analysts found that access control is becoming more popular as a result of strict legal requirements and standards relating to security and data protection. Regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) must be followed in sectors including healthcare, banking, and government.

Service providers have the chance to provide access control as a service (ACaaS), allowing businesses to use cloud-based access control solutions rather than spending money on on-premises hardware. Mobile-based access control service offer simplicity and flexibility in light of the ubiquitous usage of cell phones. Businesses may give customers mobile credentials for secure, contactless access by utilising mobile technologies like Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), or QR codes. The potential is in creating mobile access control applications that are simple to use and integrating them with current access control applications.

Access control is a mature industry in North America, driven by strict compliance regulations and high-security standards. Advanced technologies including biometrics, mobile access control, and cloud-based solutions have prospects in the region. Access control is being more widely used in industries including government, banking, and healthcare, opening up new opportunities for market growth.

Accenture Future of Work Study has shown that 68% of high-revenue growth companies have embraced a hybrid model worldwide. With businesses enjoying remote or hybrid working, benefits including reduced maintenance costs, improved flexibility and extended talent pool, cyber security awareness has become more critical than ever.

With this in mind, Indusface is intrigued to find out the most secure countries for businesses to allow their employees to work from, by creating an index score based on cybersecurity data including DDOS attacks, phishing sites, Malware hosting sites and compromised computers.

Indusface found out that Finland and Belgium share the title of the most secure European countries for businesses to allow employees to remotely work from, each with a cyber security score of 82.45 out of 100. Finland has received the second lowest number of DDOS attacks (79) during 2015 to 2021, only 29 attacks higher than France who has the lowest among the top 10 European countries. This is an important factor for businesses to consider as successful DDOS attacks could block your business sites and bring down all servers and connections you depend on.

Contributing to Belgium’s top ranking is that it has the lowest number of compromised computers per 100,000 internet users (11) in the country. Computers that have been infected with the Gamarue botnet open doors to hackers and make it easier for them to take control of your business data and devices. Belgium also has the joint second lowest malware hosting sites among all top 10 European countries, with an average of 390 sites per 100,000 urls.

Ranking third as the most cyber-secure European country is Austria with an overall cyber security index score of 80.59/100. Boasting the lowest number of both malware hosting sites (34) and phishing sites (260) per 100,000 urls, the country owns less sites that could trick you or contain malware, making businesses less worried about sensitive information being stolen. In fourth place is Switzerland with a cyber secure index score of 78.09/100. Sweden and Greece rank joint fifth place with a score of 76.31/100.

Bulgaria ranks the least secure European countries for businesses to allow employees to remotely work from, with a total cybersecurity score of only 51.82 out of 100. With 1,220 phishing sites and 1,170 malware hosting sites per 100,000 urls, businesses in the country will need to be extra careful when identifying whether a website is genuine. Serbia owns one of the highest number of compromised computers per 100,000 internet users (1,467) which leads to its low cyber security score of 53.83 – ranking as the second least cybersecure European country.

Top 10 most cyber secure European countries to work from

5 least cyber secure European countries to work from

Arecent report by Novaira Insights cites a correction in the global video surveillance industry in 2022, due largely to a sharp decline in the Chinese market in the wake of COVID-related lockdown measures.The correction however is likely to be transient as China recovers, putting economic development and related projects back on track, the report added.

Video surveillance has long been a growth industry. But it took a downward turn last year, according to a recent report by Novaira Insights, which cited a 3.4 percent decline in the global video surveillance market in 2022. This, however, was largely due to a sharp decline in the Chinese market, which dropped 18.6 percent last year, the report showed.

According to the report, the China drop was primarily due to lockdowns causing restrictions on business during 2022 waves of the COVID pandemic. “In the public sector, Chinese government spending was diverted away from areas such as video surveillance, and towards battling COVID-19 and supporting the economy during the lockdowns,” said Josh Woodhouse, Lead Analyst and Founder of Novaira Insights. “China is estimated to have remained the world’s largest regional market for video surveillance equipment, accounting for 44 percent of the world market in 2022. However, this is a reduction from the previous year when it accounted for 52 percent.”

He added that outside China, most markets continued to grow, with the market in the world excluding China growing 13.2 percent in 2022.

As for this year, with China reopening and COVID-related restrictions lifted in most countries in the world, projects and other developmental efforts are back on track. This will be a positive development for the global video surveillance market, which the Novaira Insights report said will grow 11.8 percent this year, making it worth over US$27 billion in 2023.

Impact on Video Surveillance

Like other industries, China’s video surveillance market felt the pinch of the lockdown measures and the resulting business inactivity. Perhaps nowhere can the lockdown impact on China’s video surveillance market be more revealing than Hikvision’s 2022 financial report, which reported 2022 video equipment sales of 65.9 billion RMB, a 1.12 percent growth from 2021’s 65.1 billion RMB. This contrasted sharply from the 16.9 percent growth between 2020 and 2021. 2023 Q1 revenue was also down 1.94 percent year-on-year.

Return to Growth Imminent

Indeed, various positive developments in the video surveillance/security market, both in China and rest of the world, give us reason to be optimistic. Perhaps H1 reports to be released by security companies later this year will provide further insights into how strong the market will fare in 2023 and 2024. Stay tuned for asmag.com’s 2023 Security 50 compilation to be released in November for more information and details.

According to the latest findings from 6wresearch, the government in Thailand is planning to install more video surveillance cameras to reduce the crime rate in Thailand. More than 62,000 security cameras were installed in Bangkok alone in 2022 to strengthen the security in the city.  Based on these findings and other aspects of their research, analysts at 6wresearch are predicting that Thai video surveillance market revenues are projected to grow at a strong CAGR of 12.7 percent during the period 2023-2029.

As one might expect, in 2020 the Thai video surveillance market witnessed a decline, owing to various restrictions imposed by government causing a halt in the construction sector as the pandemic negatively impacted the construction market due to factors such as delay in projects, labour shortage, supply chain delay and increased material costs. Around 290 Large scale government projects were vastly affected with the total value of 6.6 billion US dollars.

2023 Growth 5 Percent

However, the market has returned to its growth trajectory in 2022 & 2023 as after the contraction it grew at 4 percent in 2022 and is expected to grow at 5 percent in 2023, owing to robust demand from home improvement and renovation in the residential sector and new hotel room openings along with huge urbanisation in form of smart cities across the country.

Focus on Smart Cities

And now, the research shows that the Thai government has come up with a concept of smart cities. In the year 2022 they had 15 smart cities all over the country, with an agenda to have one of their Thai smart cities in the list of the world top 10 smart cities by 2037. Two of the key aspects of these new smart cities are Smart Environment and Smart Governance, in order to increase security and safety for its citizens and foreigners visiting the country.

Transition towards IP surveillance technology is also spurring the demand for video surveillance systems principally in hotels and several convenience stores, shopping malls and outlets. Also, rising tourism industry propelling growth in hospitality and commercial sector in Thailand will increase the requirement for video surveillance market in Thailand especially in major urban cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and others.