ASSA ABLOY has acquired Lawrence Doors, a US manufacturer of coiling steel doors, grilles and counter shutters.

“I am very pleased to welcome Lawrence Doors into the ASSA ABLOY Group. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to strengthen our position in mature markets through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.

“With the acquisition of Lawrence Doors, we are set to enter the rapidly growing coiling steel market and establish a strong presence on the US West Coast,” says Massimo Grassi, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of Entrance Systems Division. “This acquisition will also equip us with the expertise and product portfolio needed to better serve our dealers and customers.”

Lawrence Doors was founded in 1925 and has some 120 employees. The main office and factory are located in Baldwin Park, California, USA. Lawrence Doors will be part of the Business Segment Residential within the Entrance Systems Division.

Sales for 2023 amounted to about MUSD 31 with a strong EBIT margin.

ONVIF has released the first course in a new online learning initiative designed to promote greater knowledge and understanding of the workings of ONVIF. The new “Introduction to ONVIF” course offers a comprehensive overview of how the organisation and its standardised interfaces work for the interoperability of IP-based physical security products and services.

The online interactive course educates users on the ONVIF mission and organisation, the benefits of ONVIF standards, what ONVIF profiles and add-ons are and practical applications for both, and the importance of the conformance process. The e-learning course is free of charge and is available to anyone interested in learning more about ONVIF.

“With today’s rapidly advancing technology advancements, education and knowledge sharing is increasingly important for organisations of all types to achieve their business goals,” said Leo Levit, chairman, ONVIF Steering Committee. “This e-learning course will help increase the understanding of ONVIF and the advantages of incorporating ONVIF conformant products into a security system.”

ONVIF member companies can also access the e-learning course for use on their internal learning management platforms to provide this information to their staff and customer base.

HID, a worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, has released its State of Healthcare Security Report based on input from more than 200 security and IT professionals working in a broad range of healthcare facilities.

The survey uncovers seven themes, as follows:

1. Healthcare’s surge in both cyber and physical security attacks:

Instances of ransomware attacks on the healthcare sector have almost doubled according to The Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Additionally, a staggering 80% of nurses have encountered workplace violence within the past year according to National Nurses United, a prominent national union of registered nurses.

2. Notable 77% of participants believe it is critical for healthcare facilities to achieve digital and physical security integration:

Survey respondents believe that it is important for their facilities to achieve digital and physical security integration to fight the dramatic increase in cyber and physical security attacks.

3. Evolving security practices – From physical to digital identity management:

Conventional physical approaches such as ID badges are progressively being complemented, or in certain instances, replaced, by digital credentials such as mobile and biometric authentication. The survey indicates that 32% of healthcare facilities implement biometric authentication.

4. Securing visitor access:

Enhancing safety and streamlining compliance efficiently and effectively managing visitors through these integrated systems is crucial. Presently, 38% of healthcare facilities continue to depend on paper forms and badges for visitor access management. 30% have implemented access control systems and 24% use electronic patient management solutions.

5. Manual vs. automated security – The shift towards real-time responses:

The survey revealed that 56% of healthcare facilities utilize automated alert systems that provide real-time notifications of potential threats. These systems allow staff to respond efficiently to emerging situations, often before they escalate into full-scale incidents.

6. Barriers to technological adoption: Budget constraints and beyond

The survey revealed that budget constraints are the most significant barrier, cited by 74% of respondents. However, the cost of inaction is likely to be far greater. The financial and reputational damage caused by a security breach can be devastating, not to mention the potential impact on staff and patient safety.

7. Looking ahead: Embracing a layered security approach

The surge in violence within healthcare workplaces, coupled with the fact healthcare is now a prime target for cyber criminals, calls for a multi-layered security approach. This multi-layered security approach propels the adoption of integrated security management systems, real-time location systems, biometrics, and physical security measures such as duress badges and more.

SALTO has announced the initiation of the SALTO FOUNDATION as an effort to harness sports as a catalyst for change in communities worldwide.

Through sports, SALTO FOUNDATION aims to ensure all people can access the best opportunities to enjoy life and do well in society – and that no one is left out or excluded.

Salto and the SALTO WECOSYSTEM group of companies have been unwavering supporters of social and environmental initiatives since its inception. Over 20 years ago, Salto created the social initiative Free2Move.org, a platform still used today to unify our social and sports support efforts.

Today, SALTO FOUNDATION is a well-managed, financially reinforced legal entity designed to be an active player in social support. Following a highly professional and managerial approach, it aims to set benchmarks for corporate impact investing and operate at the highest standards.

The SALTO FOUNDATION mission is to support individuals in vulnerable situations by creating safe and inclusive spaces where they can grow and thrive within their communities through sports.

“More than just physical activity, we believe that sports are a powerful tool for building connections, fostering social inclusion, and breaking down barriers. In promoting teamwork, respect, and solidarity, SALTO FOUNDATION hopes to strengthen social bonds, reduce inequality, and provide opportunities for integration and social mobility,” states the SALTO FOUNDATION website.

Focusing on sports, health, and education, SALTO FOUNDATION will advance the integration and socialisation of underprivileged adolescents and disabled persons globally – and inspire others to do the same.

Visit saltofoundation.org for more information.

Alcatraz AI and Convergint have entered into a new partnership whereby, as Alcatraz AI becomes part of a broad network of Convergint partners and integrators, amplifying the power of facial authentication to enterprise customers around the world.

Convergint is a $2 billion global, industry-leading systems integrator that designs, installs, and services electronic security, cybersecurity, fire and life safety, building automation, and audio-visual systems. By adding Alcatraz AI’s flagship product, the Rock, to its portfolio of solutions, Convergint extends frictionless access control that strengthens their security posture while reducing the administrative and management burden and improving overall user experience.

The Alcatraz AI Rock is a simple, secure, and trusted facial authentication solution that fits seamlessly into any existing access control system with no integration needed and without storing any personally identifiable information (PII). Using AI and machine learning to power 3D facial mapping and deep neural networks, the Rock can authenticate users in real time for a frictionless, enterprise-grade security solution to protect businesses, people, and assets.

“As Alcatraz AI continues to expand its partner network, we seek opportunities to work with organisations that prioritise safety, security, and privacy just as highly as we do,” said Tina D’Agostin, CEO of Alcatraz AI. “Convergint is a leader in this area, and we are pleased to work with them. Their leadership in cyber security and focus on excellent customer service ensures a successful partnership as we deliver frictionless access control through facial authentication on a global scale.”

“Partnerships with companies like Alcatraz AI empower Convergint to stay ahead in the evolving security landscape.” said Joe Young, Vice President Global Partner Development & Strategic Alliances at Convergint.

The European Tech Alliance (EUTA) continues to grow and has now welcomed Milestone Systems as one of the world’s leading companies in data driven video technology.

EUTA represents European tech companies that provide innovative products and services to 500 million users. The alliance calls for boosting Europe’s tech competitiveness by having an ambitious EU tech strategy to overcome growth obstacles, making a political commitment to clear, targeted and risk-based rules, and enforcing rules consistently to match the globalised market we are in.

EUTA’s Secretary General, Victoria de Posson, said: “We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Milestone as the newest member of the European Tech Alliance. Ahead of the Danish EU Presidency in 2025, we look forward to working more closely with Nordic European tech companies. The upcoming months will be critical to unleash the full potential of Europe’s tech companies and establish its leadership both domestically and globally.”

Milestone Systems CEO, Thomas Jensen said: “Milestone Systems are looking forward to all the important work ahead in The European Tech Alliance – the only association exclusively representing tech companies born and bred in Europe. That aligns well with Milestone’s identity and key focus areas. Building responsible, data-driven video technology including artificial intelligence-based analytics enables innovation across a variety of sectors, creating new opportunities. But it is crucial that we do this responsibly by respecting privacy and protecting data. This is why Milestone urges the development of robust, workable, and clear guidelines and regulations to manage potential risks, increase public trust, and give innovators clarity as they drive forward video-enabled solutions.“

The global ANPR system market size is estimated to reach USD 6.37 billion by 2030, registering to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2025 to 2030 according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Advancements in traffic monitoring technologies have given rise to a mass surveillance technology that helps in capturing images of vehicles and identifying the license number. In addition, it can also facilitate in the detection of lost or stolen vehicles.

Governments around the globe are placing emphasis on the development of smart cities. Under the umbrella of smart cities, the development of intelligent transportation systems is a major trend. According to the researchers, various governments are entering in partnerships with companies such as Honeywell International, Inc.; AT&T; Siemens; and IBM Corporation for the development of traffic management programmes, and this fact alone bodes well for the market growth.Governments are focusing on the development of self-operated fuel stations and electric vehicle charging stations, especially in Europe. During day-time, petrol stations in many European countries such as the U.K., Germany, and France are operated in self-service modes.

Road safety issues and traffic violations

Overcrowded roads in the cities have put immense pressure on the civic bodies to develop technologically advanced solutions to deal with the road safety issues. This is a major factor instrumental for the implementation of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system for the monitoring of traffic violation and crime incidents. In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of automobile crimes such as vehicular homicide, carjacking, hit and run, and reckless driving that has forced the law enforcement agencies to adopt ANPR system for the recognition of vehicles.

Moreover, excessive speed has been identified as a long-standing and significant contributing factor to accidents on roads worldwide. The use of speed cameras have certain limitations as they cannot accurately identify speeding vehicles. Hence, the need for advanced ANPR systems with analytical solutions are expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

Report highlights

A summary of some of the most interesting findings with facts and figures are listed below:

• Based on the type, the fixed ANPR systems segment dominated the global industry with a revenue share of 57.9% in 2024. Extensively used fixed ANPR systems are characterised by advanced imaging technology permanently installed on a particular location for tracking & monitoring, data collection, real-time data analysis, and insights sharing.
• The hardware segment held the largest revenue share of 52.8% of the global market in 2024. High-performance hardware components assist the use of advanced imaging technology and smart sensors, such as an ANPR computer/processor, camera, frame grabber, and relay cards.

• Based on application, the traffic management segment dominated the global industry in 2024 owing to the increasing use of ANPR systems in automated processes such as toll collections, detection of speed limit violations, and other incidents related to implementing traffic rules and regulations.

• The government sector’s use of ANPR systems held the largest revenue share of the global market in 2024. Multiple agencies in countries including the U.S., European nations, India, China, Japan, and others have trusted advanced ANPR systems as valued assistance in the implementation of its traffic management and security surveillance initiatives.

Some of the key players in this market and mentioned in the report including companies like, ARH, Axis Communications, Genetec, Kapsch Trafficcom, Bosch, Selex, Tattile, Siemens, Vaxtor and NDI Recognition Systems.

October 29, 2024, Oslo, Norway — Zenitel, a global leader in Unified Critical Communication solutions, proudly announces the launch of Zenitel Connect Pro, the industry’s first critical communication solution that unifies all types of audio communication solutions, helping to bring safety, security, operational, and infotainment communication needs under one platform.

Cybersecurity demands are fundamental to any security specification today and the Zenitel Connect Pro platform is built on security by design principles, which ensures that cybersecurity is foundational to the architecture, which minimizes potential vulnerabilities and ensures resiliency to cyber-attacks.

By adopting open interface standards, Zenitel Connect Pro makes it easier for security system integrators to incorporate audio into the security mix, including video management and access control solutions, enabling a shift from reactive security to proactive and interactive security solutions.

A truly unique offering for the physical security industry

Zenitel Connect Pro represents a paradigm shift in the way people and businesses communicate, transitioning from traditional, siloed communications to a collaborative communications approach, by seamlessly integrating intercoms, IP speakers, public address, and voice alarm systems under a single platform. This unified critical communications approach helps businesses to reduce response times in emergency situations while improving communication resilience by allowing seamless transitions between different communications technologies.

Addressing key operational challenges

Zenitel Connect Pro enables you to setup, deploy, monitor, and maintain your communication system in one place. With a single interface to master, your team spends less time in training. Zenitel Connect Pro is powerful, yet easy to use, with an intuitive interface. This helps you to reduce setup time while giving you full control over your communication assets. Stay secure and up to date on the latest software patches, with a full overview of device software versions.

A new generation communication platform that we will innovate together

By adopting open interface standards, Zenitel Connect Pro will continue to evolve to meet industry demands for new capabilities and cybersecurity requirements. The platform also allows our partner community to further add third-party services on top of functionalities in our core communication platform, further accelerating our development journey.

“We are excited to share this news with our partners and the security industry, and we look forward to helping everyone incorporate critical communication solutions into their security infrastructure,” says Lars Paulsson, EVP for Safety and Security at Zenitel. “This new cybersecure platform opens up opportunities for our entire ecosystem of partners by extending their security offerings with safety communication solutions and enabling the addition of functionalities and services tailored to specific end-customer needs,” Paulsson explains.

For more information about Zenitel Connect Pro, please visit https://www.zenitel.com/zenitel-connect-pro

About the Zenitel Group

Zenitel is the leading provider of unified critical communication solutions that allow people to hear, be heard, and be understood, in every situation. Zenitel solutions are designed to cater to a wide range of safety, security, operational and entertainment needs. Because audio communication is critical in adding interactivity, Zenitel solutions easily integrates with other systems and solution in a seamless manner. To find more about us, visit https://www.zenitel.com

Following on from the news of the acquisition process in May earlier this year, Dedrone, the global leader in airspace awareness and security, is now officially part of Axon. The acquisition unites two companies with a shared mission to improve public safety and national security by staying ahead of persistent and escalating threats, enabling faster, more effective responses and ultimately protecting more lives in more places.

Dedrone’s smart airspace security technology integrates with Axon’s public safety platform to enable true drone as first responder (DFR) programmes and protect against unauthorised drone threats. With Dedrone’s technology now part of the Axon ecosystem, this joint knowhow is advancing how we leverage and protect against drones to keep everyone safe with a greater ability to prevent incidents before they escalate.

Enhancing Axon’s drone as first responder (DFR) offering

DFR is transforming how public safety agencies respond to emergencies. Drones are dispatched immediately after an emergency call, providing real-time intelligence to help officers assess the scene before arriving. With Axon DFR, Dedrone’s airspace awareness technology, Dedronebeyond, extends this capability, enabling drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without the need for human visual observers. This innovation allows drones to fly farther, faster and operate in more challenging conditions and areas previously difficult to access, reducing response times and improving situational awareness.

Protecting public spaces and national security

Dedrone’s AI-powered airspace security systems are essential for safeguarding large-scale events, airports, critical infrastructure and even military bases and defense operations from unauthorised drone activity. As drone usage rises, so does the risk of airspace incursions that could disrupt operations or pose serious safety risks. With Dedrone, public safety and defense teams can detect, track, and, when necessary, neutralise rogue drones in real time, ensuring both public spaces and sensitive areas remain secure. Additionally, Dedrone’s battle-tested technology is actively serving governments and defence agencies worldwide, offering critical protection against evolving threats.