London Ambulance Service has experienced 529 violent incidents between April 2020 and January this year, and so to protect their frontline workers, the Ambulance Service has begun to roll out Motorola Solutions´ VB400 body-worn video solution to help their frontline workers to deal with assaults and threats.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our crews are of utmost importance. We want to take every precaution possible to ensure that our frontline people are safe whilst at work”, said Garrett Emmerson, chief executive officer at London Ambulance Service. “We are confident that video security will deter abusive and threatening behaviour and improve the safety and confidence of our emergency medical crews.”

Medics can rely on the Motorola Solutions VB400 body camera to record incidents when patients or members of the public become aggressive or abusive. The footage will allow for ‘independent witness’ evidence, providing transparency and accountability for the public and ambulance crews. The new body-worn cameras will be used alongside a back-office evidence management software from Motorola Solutions to securely manage and process captured video footage.

London Ambulance Service is the busiest emergency ambulance service in the U.K., serving one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse cities. The Ambulance Service covers an area of 620 square miles, with 8000 people who work or volunteer for the service.

“It’s vital to ensure the safety of citizens and ambulance crews alike. This investment in video security will play a crucial role to protect communities and London Ambulance Service crews who are on the frontline every day, saving lives”, said Mark Schmidl, senior vice president at Motorola Solutions.

Motorola Solutions has opened a new Video Security & Analytics (VS&A) manufacturing facility in Richardson, Texas.

The 136,000 square foot building represents the company’s continued investment in North American manufacturing and the expansion of its production and shipping capabilities to further the growth of its video security portfolio which serves customers around the world.

“With this new, state-of-the-art facility we will be manufacturing critical, NDAA-compliant safety and security video solutions on the doorstep of American public safety agencies and businesses,” said John Kedzierski, senior vice president, Video Security & Analytics at Motorola Solutions.

Over the last few years, Motorola Solutions has made a number of significant acquisitions domestically and internationally in the video security and analytics space. Now, the facility will be the central hub of production and will integrate the company’s wide-ranging portfolio of mobile and fixed video offerings. These solutions are designed to increase visibility, accountability and safety for communities, businesses and first responders.

13 April 2021
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HID Global, a worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, today announced it has deployed the government of Libya’s first diplomatic and special ePassport program.

HID provided Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) with HID Integrale™, a secure end-to-end solution that expedites the application and issuance processes and manages the entire ePassport lifecycle. For improved security, the redesigned and modernized booklets include a durable polycarbonate datapage and are personalized using new laser engraving and chip encryption equipment.

HID Global designed, engineered and delivered the identity solution to the Libyan government in four months, even amid travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are pleased that our collaboration with HID Global has yielded a robust and complete ePassport system that we have seamlessly integrated with our existing processes,” said Mohamed Elkoni with Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “HID’s identity document expertise, the delivery of the solution in record time against the current restrictive backdrop, and ongoing technical support has greatly simplified the implementation of our new systems.”

To ensure compliance with ICAO standards, HID Integrale’s public key infrastructure (PKI) service creates and manages Libya’s Country Signing Certification Authority (CSCA) keys and certificates to sign personalized eDocuments and enable verification. By implementing the PKI service, Libya can connect with the ICAO Public Key Directory, which enables the global use of their new ePassports and the potential for future security enhancements, such as biometrics. In addition, the solution’s web-based platform makes it possible for HID engineers to efficiently train the ministry’s staff as part of HID Integrale’s customer support package.

“A successful migration to an ePassport system requires a solution that enhances each touchpoint of the user experience, from application to travel,” said Craig Sandness, Senior Vice President and Head of Secure Issuance and Citizen ID Solutions with HID Global. “By opting for HID’s Integrale software suite, the Libyan government has created a solid and future-proof foundation to issue diplomatic and special ePassports.”

The Open Security & Safety Alliance (OSSA) announces two key developments as part of its mission to promote trustworthy and innovative security and safety solutions.

First, a new specification is now available to members that focuses on camera cybersecurity measures. OSSA also introduces a new App Developer Council designed to attract and involve app developers in the Alliance’s growing ecosystem of stakeholders from all facets of the security, safety and building automation space.

The newest technical specification — the OSSA Camera Cyber Security Specification — contains definitions and guidelines regarding mandatory and optional security determinations for cameras. It is largely based on an existing standard by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), with an additional clear focus on the security market and OSSA philosophy by transparently dividing the roles and responsibilities between camera manufacturers, the operating system (OS) provider and the system-on-chip (SoC) vendor, in particular.

The specification also prescribes responsibility changes in the event of individual OS modifications by camera manufacturers.

The OSSA-orchestrated ecosystem is designed to enhance trust, enable innovation beyond the limits of a single organization, and fuel opportunity for industry stakeholders and customers, according to the announcement. The backbone of this initiative is the Alliance’s first Technology Stack that prescribes the use of a common OS along with the first three OSSA Specifications:

OSSA Application Interface Specification (available to OSSA members)
OSSA Compliant Camera Definition Specification (available to the public)
NEW: OSSA Camera Cyber Security Specification (now available to OSSA members)

OSSA App Developer Council

As software application developers are essential to the OSSA ecosystem, the Alliance in early 2021 created a new offering to enable these (usually smaller) companies to weigh-in and be introduced within the security and safety sphere.

This is an important corridor to establish between the two groups as the open platform approach continues to flourish and — particularly Android-based — apps become an integral part of customization and differentiation across the security and safety IoT.

The annual OSSA App Developer Council fee is $250 or $500 a year, depending on the size of the developer company. It is said to provide benefits including heavy industry exposure, early access to finalized Alliance deliverables, and exclusive insight into the OSSA specification roadmap.

“Although our Alliance is young, I’m continually impressed by member agility and a firm commitment to remove barriers and move the mark for the industry to all rise together,” says Johan Jubbega, president, Open Security & Safety Alliance. “We’re steadily delivering on that vision: members have not only embraced the OSSA philosophy but already have actual hardware available in the market and a digital app store to source from.”

Jubbega continues, “This has led to a new and natural connection with the app developer community. We’re advocating for truly open ecosystems not only within our specific security and safety sectors, but are now also broadening to cross-collaborate with other industries and stakeholder groups. I am convinced that the best is yet to come.”

The Cologne Cable Car project is the first undertaking anywhere in the world in which the patented Panomera camera technology is used to monitor a cable car carrying rope. In order to guarantee the passengers’ safety at all times, the operators require rapid visual detection of possible technical problems, particularly in the structure of the carrying cable.

Every year, over half a million passengers soar over the Rhine at a height of 30 metres with the Cologne Cable Car – and are rewarded with an unparalleled view of the city and cathedral. For ensuring the safety of the carrying rope construction, Kölner Seilbahn relies on the Panomera camera technology of Regensburg-Germany based manufacturer, Dallmeier.

Carlos Castro, Operations Manager of Kölner Seilbahn, explains: “Besides the approach of the gondolas to the stations, we observe the way they run onto the pylons. 30 metres up in the air, it is quite possible that a good gust of wind can set the cable and the pylons swinging. To enable early detection of incidents that cause the gondolas to approach the sensitive points out of alignment and to prevent technical problems, we decided to introduce video surveillance using the proven, patented Panomera camera technology.”

Long distances pose no problem

The carrying rope is supported on a total of three pylons over the entire distance of just under one kilometre. The resulting distances between the stations and the pylons range in length from 100 metres up to a considerable span of 480 metres over the Rhine itself. The requirement was for the images to be recorded over very long distances, but without loss of quality. Together with the project team from VTS Video Technik Systeme GmbH, the operators of the Cologne Cable Car found exactly the right solution in Panomera technology.

The Panomera multifocal sensor system was developed specifically to provide full area coverage with video protection for large spaces and long distances. The particular feature of the technology is that multiple sensors having different focal lengths are installed in a single housing and a special software programme compiles a total image in high resolution.

The operator has full control over the entire situation over the entire length of the cables between the pylons, live and in high resolution video images. In potential hazard situations, he can view details in a separate zoom image without losing sight of the overall action.

Customised solution

The wind that blows against the masts and cables 30 metres above the ground can cause them to start rocking, and poses certain challenges not only for the operation of the gondolas but also for the installation of the cameras. To ensure that the camera systems – each weighing more than ten kilos – are not damaged or themselves become a hazard, the cameras were secured to the pylons using special plates. The lenses themselves are installed immovably inside the camera housing and are unaffected by any swinging motion.

Triton has signed an agreement to acquire Acre, a leading end-to-end security solutions provider based in Dallas, USA and Dublin, Ireland. This agreement means that Acre brands like Vanderbilt, Comnet, and Razberi – well known in the global security technology industry – now have a new owner. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Acre is a global leader in the delivery of security systems for access control and intrusion detection as well as innovative video solutions with a communication networking and intelligent appliance portfolio. The software and solutions provided by Acre’s family of companies (Vanderbilt, Open Options, RS2 Technologies, Comnet and Razberi) help secure the highest valued assets of large and small customers operating in the private and public sectors. Triton will bring industry expertise and additional capital to support Acre’s continued innovation and proven buy & build strategy.

Peder Prahl, Director of the General Partner for the Triton funds, said: “We look forward to actively supporting the management and employees of Acre as a stable owner by investing in the growth and development of the company. Our industry expertise and international network will further strengthen Acre’s position as a leading global provider of intelligent electronic security solutions.”

Acre is a global leader in the delivery of integrated technologies and services. Since its formation in 2012, Acre has played an instrumental role in the development and implementation of security technology initiatives on a global scale. Its Vanderbilt, RS2, Open Options, Comnet, and Razberi brands deliver advanced solutions to thousands of customers around the world. Today, Acre employs approximately 325 employees in more than 25 countries.

Since its establishment in 1997, Triton has sponsored nine funds, focusing on businesses in the industrial, business services, consumer and health sectors. The Triton funds invest in and support the positive development of medium-sized businesses with a strong European heritage. Triton seeks to contribute to the building of better businesses for the longer term. Triton and its executives wish to be agents of positive change towards sustainable operational improvements and growth. The 45 companies currently in Triton’s portfolio have combined sales of around €18.2 billion and around 100,800 employees.