The best of both worlds: former CEO Hayden Burr transitions to Chief Innovation  
Officer role while welcoming new Chief Executive Officer Andy Bane

Integrated Control Technology (ICT), a leading manufacturer of intelligent access control and security solutions, announced today the appointment of Andy Bane as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Andy succeeds ICT founder and former CEO Hayden Burr, who will transition to the role of Chief Innovation Officer.

By investing in the future, ICT is positioning itself to drive greater value, create new opportunities, and strengthen relationships worldwide. Under Andy’s leadership, ICT will focus on scaling its operations, strengthening its go-to-market strategies, and advancing its technology platform to anticipate and meet evolving customer needs.

Founded in 2003, ICT continues to be driven by a firm commitment to helping partners and customers secure their success. This leadership transition embodies a strategic investment in ICT’s future growth. ICT’s appointment of Andy Bane as CEO and Hayden Burr as Chief Innovation Officer will leverage both their unique skills sets, providing the best of both worlds to benefit ICT, its partners, and customers.

New CEO Andy Bane Brings Decades of Operational Excellence 

Andy Bane brings more than three decades of leadership, innovation, and growth experience across venture-backed startups, private equity (PE)-backed scale-ups, and publicly traded enterprises. Most recently, he served as CEO of Element, a SaaS industrial software company specializing in data solutions for operational excellence. His track record includes roles at ABB Enterprise Software, Ventyx, and Global Energy Decisions, where he successfully led teams in developing and scaling solutions that combine hardware and software for integrated customer value.

“I’m honoured to welcome Andy to ICT,” said founder Hayden Burr. “We’re excited about the new energy and perspective he will bring to ICT, and how his decades of operational excellence will help us continue to scale our operations, strengthen our go-to-market strategies, and advance our technology platform to meet our customers ever-evolving needs.”

“I am thrilled to join ICT at such a pivotal moment of their journey,” said new CEO Andy Bane. “Hayden and the ICT team should be proud of what they have built the past 20 years. I’m inheriting an impressive foundation with a differentiated product portfolio, a global customer base, and a dedicated team. I look forward to working alongside this talented group to expand our reach, continue to find ways to best serve our customers and to build on the company’s legacy of innovation and customer success.”

Hayden Burr Assumes Role of Chief Innovation Officer

As Chief Innovation Officer, Hayden Burr will continue to bring expert security market intelligence, unparallelled ICT product expertise, and a comprehensive understanding of ICT’s history and the principles that have shaped the company’s success thus far.

When asked about his transition into his new role as Chief Innovation Officer, Hayden shared: “After more than 20 years leading ICT, I’m excited to pivot to a role that will enable me to think deeply about future needs, and where things are headed…to think not only about product innovations, but also all the ways we can evolve as a company to better meet the needs of our partners and customers.”

Securing Your Success Starts with Listening

The foundation of any strong partnership is two-way communications. In that spirit of partnership, ICT wants to hear from current and future ICT customers, ICT dealers and integrators, and technology partners. What needs and opportunities do you see?  Please share your ideas, questions, or feedback by visiting ict.co/best-of-both-worlds.

For more information or to inquire about interview availability, please contact Aude Desbrières, Operational Director EMEA at ICT, at adesbrieres@ict.co or +44 7939 336991.

A new survey from Omdia reveals that phishing scams are the leading security threat for smartphone users, with 24% of respondents reporting they have fallen victim to these attacks. Phishing, which includes fraudulent texts, emails, or calls designed to trick individuals into revealing sensitive personal information, remains a significant concern as cybercriminals continue to exploit unsuspecting consumers.

Omdia surveyed 1,572 consumers across the Americas, Asia & Oceania, and Europe in October 2024 for the fourth annual Omdia Mobile Device Security Scorecard. The survey found that the next most common security issue was malware and viruses, followed by physical theft, such as pickpocketing, mugging, or snatching.

In Omdia’s recent assessment of leading premium smartphones, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 outperformed Apple’s Iphone 16 Pro and other Android-based devices, including the Oneplus 12, Xiaomi 14, and Honor Magic 6 Pro. Anti-phishing protection proved to be a weak spot across all devices, as none successfully intercepted all phishing texts, calls and emails.

Simulated spam calls revealed that all Android devices from Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Honor, and Samsung successfully flagged suspected spam calls before users answered, while the Iphone 16 Pro lacked similar voice call protection.

No device flagged simulated phishing emails from Gmail as phishing, only identifying them as spam when sent from Google’s SMTP.

Considerable variation in performance

Despite gaps in detecting phishing texts and emails, devices with Google Safe Browsing protections successfully blocked the link from opening, displaying a warning screen and requiring user confirmation to proceed. Performance across browsers varied significantly: Samsung Internet effectively blocked most links, including advanced custom URLs, while Xiaomi Mii and Oneplus Internet browsers failed to warn users about known malicious links, underscoring inconsistencies in Android device’s security.

“The lack of security protection, particularly against the growing threat of phishing attacks, is eroding consumer trust,” said Omdia Senior Analyst, Aaron West. “When consumers were asked if their trust following a security issue increased (due to how well the issue was handled) or decreased, 73% reported they had reduced trust in the smartphone brand and operating system developer.”

Consumers should be vigilant but better protection needed

“Despite the latest protections in place by some manufacturers, it is difficult to protect 100% against phishing attempts, highlighting the severity of the issue and potential impact to consumers. That said, smartphone manufacturers can (demonstrated by the more advanced phishing protection capabilities available) and should have a better baseline of phishing protection – such as voice call protection, and all Android devices making use of Google’s Safe Browsing protections,” said Hollie Hennessy, Principal Analyst, Omdia. “This needs to be paired with awareness activity from manufacturers and the wider industry to help consumers be vigilant and prepared”.

XPP, a leading provider of integrated payment solutions in seamless payments for public transportation, and Oxivo Group, a multinational Dutch/Turkish conglomerate specialised in unattended electronic payments in retail for vending machines, parking, EV charging, and in end-to-end integrations in the world of IoT-based machines – have entered into what is being called a groundbreaking partnership agreement.

Together, they will introduce a new, revolutionary seamless payment service to the Turkish market that will fundamentally change the way payments in public transport are handled and experienced. This payment platform is an innovation that is relevant for many European public transport providers.

The first project that XPP and Oxivo are taking on in their new collaboration is to combine XPP’s payment services, based on the Vayapay and Ginger platforms, with Oxivo’s deep market expertise and established presence in Turkey.

“This partnership is a major step forward in our development,” said Tom van der Poel, CEO of XPP. Together, we are strongly positioned to take transactions in Turkey’s public transport to the next level and will develop an infrastructure that several public transport companies in Europe will be able to benefit from.”

“With this collaboration, we combine the best of the Dutch and Turkish fintech ecosystems to provide transport companies with a unique infrastructure for payment systems,” said Sezer Arslan, Founding Partner and CEO of Oxivo Group. “This technology can be used anywhere in Asia and in Europe.”

The partnership is based on both companies’ shared vision to renew the built-in payment process. Oxivo Group has extensive experience in unattended card payments, while XPP contributes to the partnership with its Smart Payment Platform for omni-channels. Together, they can offer an innovative solution for public transport that breaks with the existing payment methods in the sector. This partnership contributes to Oxivo’s strategy to expand its dominant position from unattended payments in retail to tap-to-pay in public transport.

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Invue, a US-based provider of precision-engineered connected asset protection and access control solutions. The company enables tailormade security solutions to a broad spectrum of industries and retailers.

“This acquisition delivers on our strategy to grow our business through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.

“Invue is a global technology provider at the forefront of innovative security solutions for protecting assets in the retail business. Invue is an excellent addition to Global Solutions, the acquisition will expand our core capabilities across access control and asset protection globally. I look forward to working with InVue’s successful and experienced team” says Stephanie Ordan, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Technologies business unit Global Solutions.

Invue was founded in 1986 and has some 260 employees. The main office is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, US.

Sales for 2024 amounted to about MUSD 165 with a strong EBIT margin. The acquisition will be accretive to EPS from the start.

Armadrone, a cutting-edge developer of strike drones and MDSI, a leading innovator in modular payload technologies, have entered into a strategic partnership. The collaboration unites Armadrone’s innovative drone engineering and MDSI’s novel payload carrier systems to deliver next-generation affordable solutions for allied defenced forces.

At the core of this partnership is the development and integration of MDSI’s payload carrier, Mailman, into Armadrone’s combat drone platforms. Mailman is a precision guided payload carrier that can be paired with Armadrone’s UAV platforms, such as Punisher and Rex, to provide tactical payload delivery at up to 60 kilometers in tough EW environment conditions.

Strengthening allied defence capabilities

This partnership comes at a critical time as global defence forces seek advanced tools to counter emerging threats. By combining their strengths, Armadrone and MDSI aim to provide allied nations with scalable and reliable solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and minimize risk to personnel.

“Armadrone’s mission has always been to create innovative and practical solutions for the modern battlefield,” said Max Subotin, CBDO of Armadrone. “By teaming up with MDSI and maintaining close daily communication with troops on the front lines, we are taking a step forward in redefining what is possible with smaller armed drones. Our daily processes have a deeply personal dimension, as we remain close to our friends who are currently in combat.”

“Integrating Mailman with Armadrone’s UAS platforms, is the initial result of long-term relationship with Ukrainian partners,” said Christian Steinø, CEO of MDSI. “Mailman is designed to deliver affordable effect with adaptability, complementing the engineering capabilities of Armadrone. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for mission readiness, versatility and scalability.”

Founded in 1986, ELAN stands out in the Italian and foreign markets for the high quality of its Made in Italy products and the guaranteed constant availability of products in stock for prompt delivery. It boasts a portfolio of over 400 products and an excellent multilingual technical and commercial assistance service.

ELAN manufactures cables for security applications such as burglar alarm system, fire detection and voice alarm system, structured wiring, CCTV and building automation. The company also entered into the batteries market offering dry rechargeable lead and lithium batteries distributed under the renowned brand BIGBAT, in order to complete its offering to its wide customer base.

Nowadays, ELAN is proudly recognized as a professional and reliable cable and batteries manufacturer able to supply any connectivity and powering solutions to the expanding security market.

Success in the domestic market is also supporting the fast-growing export business. Thanks to the multilanguage international sales office, to a dedicated logistics department and with an extensive knowledge of international security standards, ELAN is continuously empowering its export activities, providing great connectivity solutions in more than 50 countries.

The international sales department not only collects requests from all over the world but also meet ELAN’s customers attending the most popular security exhibitions, such as Dubai Intersec and Adria Security Summit, which represent a significant opportunity to showcase ELAN’s products and to create new connections and business opportunities with international markets.

Technical skills, design capabilities, consolidated experience in cables and batteries and ISO9001:2015 certification, guarantee ELAN’s customers the quality and the reliability of ELAN and BIGBAT branded products, supporting the everyday job of the electrical installers and system integrators.

Ajax has shared its annual report for the year 2024, and fuelled by the achievements and also by lessons learned from occasional setbacks, Ajax Systems now steps into the new year as strong and ambitious as ever.

2024 was a busy year for the company, with a widening portfolio that reached 180 products, growing by 45 unique devices across all categories in just one year, while software saw 56 updates. Ajax also introduced the expansion of Ajax Services, marking an exciting new chapter for the company.

The team worked toward strengthening partnerships to drive business and user satisfaction. Recording a significant rise in the number of both end and Pro users demonstrated that investing in knowledge sharing, efficiency, and improved online and offline communication was a winning strategy.

Ajax Systems received 20 awards that the company maintains aptly reflects its core priorities. Professional communities worldwide acknowledged the innovativeness of Ajax hardware and software, the sleek design of the products, and the impact of the firm’s communication effort. In addition, Ajax Systems was recognised as the best manufacturer in the industry three times over the year.

Brand-new portfolio segmentation

Ajax Systems undertook a strategic change to the segmentation of its fast-growing portfolio to make it clear and intuitive. The company introduced four categories — Intrusion protection, Fire and life safety, Comfort and automation, and Video surveillance — that marked key directions in its business development.

Baseline and Superior product lines were reimagined. Baseline now encompasses wireless Jeweller devices for intrusion only, while Superior includes wireless Jeweller and wired Fibra devices for high-profile projects. The Superior products will also undergo renaming to ensure they are easily recognisable. The changes are planned to be implemented by the end of 2025.

Ajax Special Event

In November, Ajax hosted its sixth Ajax Special Event, an annual showcase of the company’s latest technologies and devices. This year’s presentations focused on four so-called “universes”, representing the four new Ajax product categories — Intrusion protection, Fire and life safety, Comfort and automation, and Video surveillance. The Ajax team highlighted how all the categories seamlessly integrated within the Ajax ecosystem or so-called Multiverse. This integration aims at delivering not only a better experience for end users but also unlocking infinite business opportunities for Ajax partners.

The Ajax Special Event attracted large global audiences, both online and offline. A total of 139 offline events were held in 39 countries, with the main event hosted in Manchester, UK, at the legendary Old Trafford Stadium. The online broadcast, which was available in 26 languages, saw a substantial rise in first-day views compared to last year’s event. And, according to the company, the Ajax Special Event: Multiverse received unprecedented participation and viewership, achieving new heights for the company.

During the event, the Ajax team introduced 29 products, including three services, and shared exciting news about the obtained certifications. The intrusion protection category expanded with a range of wireless devices. However, the category that excited the audiences the most was Video surveillance, as the Ajax partners were anticipating the portfolio to grow, and they were not disappointed. Ajax Systems announced two new video products:

• Doorbell, a video doorbell with built-in AI, PIR sensor, and control via apps. The device promises excellent video and audio quality and includes innovative communication capabilities.
• Indoorcam, a Wifi security camera with a PIR sensor, built-in AI, and a fallback communication channel. Designed for use in homes, restaurants, and shops.

Motorola Solutions has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Theatro Labs, Inc., a maker of AI and voice-powered communication and digital workflow software for frontline workers, based in Richardson, Texas.

Theatro’s software-as-a-service platform, purposefully designed for frontline workers, provides a suite of collaboration applications that deliver information in real time to help improve their productivity and physical safety. Using conversational language through a wearable device, users can ask Theatro’s AI voice assistant for guidance to assist customers, check inventory and pricing, and communicate with other team members. The technology can help accelerate employees’ work processes and product knowledge.

Additionally, with frontline employee safety threats and theft incidents continuing to rise, Theatro enables employees to discreetly alert management and security teams when they feel unsafe directly through the wearable device, while the AI voice assistant can issue step-by-step safety and incident protocol guidance to help manage a response. Theatro’s software also integrates with video security cameras to identify potential theft or safety threats, and proactively alert employees on the store floor.

“Theatro is designed to prioritise both safety and operational efficiency, which are essential for all frontline workers,” said Mahesh Saptharishi, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Motorola Solutions. “With Theatro, we are continuing to invest in innovative technologies that purposefully apply AI to protect employees while automating how they work and improving their service to customers.”

New value added services

Theatro serves well-known U.S. retailers across a broad range of merchant categories. Motorola Solutions and Theatro expect to integrate complementary workflows across Motorola Solutions’ portfolio of technologies, including body cameras, fixed video, panic buttons and radios, to provide new value-added services to existing customers while expanding growth opportunities in industries such as hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing and education.

“For more than a decade, we have been passionate about innovating for frontline workers,” said Chris Todd, President & CEO, Theatro. “We’re thrilled to be joining Motorola Solutions to enable even more capabilities that help team members remain safe while delivering their best work every day.”

Both Motorola Solutions and Theatro are exhibiting at NRF ’25 – Retail’s Big Show currently taking place in New York City.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, following receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Quanergy Solutions, a leading provider of 3D Lidar solutions, is driving an awareness of its advanced 3D Lidar system, created to address critical vulnerabilities in data center security. With the rise of hyperscale, colocation, and edge facilities, data centres face unprecedented challenges in safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring uninterrupted operations.

“The future of data centre security lies in proactive, intelligent solutions,” says Adam Andres, Global VP of Sales at Quanergy. “Our 3D Lidar technology offers the advanced capabilities to detect and deter threats, ensuring the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure.”

Quanergy’s 3D Lidar is designed to eliminate blind spots, reduces false alarms by over 90%, and promises to deliver 360° real-time tracking, all while seamlessly integrating with existing infrastructure. Designed to monitor up to 1,000 moving objects simultaneously, the system provides unparalleled accuracy and adaptability even in challenging environments.

According to the company, blind spots, tailgating, and false alarms are among the top vulnerabilities in traditional security systems. Quanergy’s technology offers to tackle these issues head-on with features such as real-time tracking, comprehensive 360° coverage, and centimetre-level accuracy even in rain, fog, or total darkness. The solution also respects privacy by tracking objects without capturing personally identifiable information (PII).

Quanergy’s 3D Lidar technology has been deployed at over 100 critical infrastructure sites worldwide, delivering proven accuracy and reliability in complex environments.  According to Quanergy,the system demonstrated a 100% detection rate for simulated security breaches at a major global cloud provider, significantly reducing false alarms by 90%. This proven solution enhances data centre security while streamlining operations and reducing costs.

Suprema, a global leader of AI-based security solutions has once again been named a ‘2024 Global Top 50 Security Company’ as compiled by A&S, marking its 14th consecutive year. The top 50 list of security companies worldwide are announced annually, with companies being ranked based on revenue and profitability. Suprema has maintained its position on the list consistently since 2011.

A recent market research report, jointly published by the Security Industry Association (SIA), ASIS International, and Omdia, projects the global physical security market to grow from $51 billion in 2022 to $70 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The report segments the physical security market into five categories: video surveillance, access control, intrusion alarms, fire detection, and other equipment. Among these, video surveillance leads the market, followed by access control as the second-largest segment. Notably, North America dominates the access control market, while regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are expected to experience the fastest growth in the coming years.

Suprema provides access control security solutions to over 140 countries and has achieved the No. 1 market share in the biometric access control market within the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region.

This year, the company further accelerated its growth in emerging markets, including Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, achieving remarkable milestones. Suprema’s global leadership is underpinned by over 20 years of technological expertise, delivering reliable and high-performing products and services. The company remains at the forefront of innovation, consistently developing solutions that align with the latest security trends, including AI and cloud technologies.

Recently, Suprema launched the Bioentry W3, an AI-powered facial authentication device offering enhanced data security features. Additionally, Suprema has expanded the global reach of its Cluee, an open cloud integration service, further solidifying its market presence and achieving significant results.

“Being recognised as a Global Top 50 Security Company for 14 consecutive years is a testament to our ability to adapt swiftly to changing market trends and our relentless commitment to research and development,” said Hanchul Kim, CEO of Suprema Inc. “We will continue to strengthen our competitiveness as a global leader in AI-powered integrated security solutions and drive innovation in the industry.”