At the recent ISC East show in New York, Quanergy Solutions, Inc. unveiled a new, joint solution in partnership with Bosch Security and Safety Systems. This seamlessly integrated solution stands uniquely poised to tackle intricate security challenges faced by critical infrastructure environments, including utilities, data centres, and airports, through the strategic combination of Quanergy’s Q-Track 3D Lidar solution and Bosch Video Systems.
“Customers are increasingly in search of advanced situational awareness and precision in video surveillance, regardless of its specific application,” said Gerald Becker, Vice President, Market Development and Alliances, Quanergy. “The integration of Quanergy and Bosch technologies provides an exceptional solution for detecting, tracking, and classifying moving individuals and objects within sensitive or secure environments with remarkable accuracy.”
Q-Track offers to redefine physical security by combining Quanergy’s long-range 3D Lidar sensors with advanced perception software to provide users with hyper-accurate 3D intelligent proactive awareness to reduce false alarms and save lives. With Q-Track, Quanergy raises the bar by setting new benchmarks for event detection, object classification, and tracking.
Quanergy’s new partnership with Bosch effectively allows Q-Track to send object location, both relative and absolute, to Bosch video cameras such as the MIC Inteox 7100i. This integration triggers 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 harsh weather conditions or suboptimal lighting. More importantly, the solution can significantly reduce the number of false alerts and save customers hundreds of thousands of dollars in costly guard services.
The Bosch MIC Inteox 7100i camera has UHD “4K” resolution and a 12x zoom with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). It has flexible streaming capabilities powering three independent streams. It offers a high degree of strength and ruggedness for any outdoor application including traffic monitoring (bridges, tunnels, or highways), perimeter protection, city surveillance, and mining. And lastly, its optional illuminator with multispectral LEDs distributes IR light uniformly in the field to avoid dark spots or an over-illuminated scene.
Technological innovation ensuring efficiency and interoperability, a wide-range debate on hot issues, and qualified training sessions characterised the three-day event packed with operators facing the challenge of integration.
Milan, 4 December 2023. A vast turnout, popular conferences, a broad debate on the opportunities of the smart evolution of buildings and cities: SMART BUILDING EXPO2023, the home and building automation and technological integration event organised by Fiera Milano and Pentastudio, ended in success thus confirming itself as the event of reference for the Italian market.
An edition characterised by a lot of innovation: SBE, together with SICUREZZA, MADE expo and GEE-Global Elevator Exhibition, participated in a broader event: the MIBA-Milan International Building Alliance, the format that, for the first time, brought under one umbrella four vertical shows that, in different ways and with multiple proposals, contribute to the sustainable and smart evolution of buildings and cities. A cross-offer available to visitors with a single ticket and attended by more than 80,000 operators hailing from 111 countries.
As part of this event, SMART BUILDING EXPO, with its 142 exhibitors from 15 countries, was an opportunity to review platforms, solutions, and products that are fundamental for making buildings smart and making them communicate with each other within the context of a smart city.
THREE DAYS TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE MARKET IS HEADED
The three days of SBE were characterised by an intense exchange that took place around the four “Innovation Squares”, dedicated to Home and Building Automation, System Integration, Renewable Energy and the steadily growing world of Audio-Video.
There was great interest in the topic of digital building infrastructure as an enabling technology for opening up to new services, especially when combined with an open source edge computer capable of focusing the intelligence required for operation while avoiding the proliferation of redundant equipment.
Efficiency, effectiveness, and interoperability embodied the underlying message of an event that offered a different way of looking at buildings and homes, today increasingly understood as veritable hubs of citizen services.
Many said that “Something has changed” and the feeling is that this is only the beginning of a long-lasting phenomenon that will permanently change our homes, leading to the green revolution that is the focus of the European directives on sustainability.
A great deal of attention has emerged around the so-called BACS (Building Automation Control Systems), undervalued resources so far that can lead to major improvements in the energy performance of buildings, especially existing ones, without affecting the envelope. Savings can be as high as 25-30%.
Another topic of significant impact, discussed at many stands and seminars, was the “data driven” building and city, meaning the collection and management of data as a tool to produce effective and predictive actions.
EXCELLENCE TRAINING FOR AN EVER EVOLVING SECTOR
In such a rapidly changing context, it became clear how indispensable it is for the sector operators to be informed and trained on the ongoing evolution.
With a schedule of over 50 meetings and initiatives designed to provide opportunities for discussion and professional development at all levels, SMART BUILDING EXPO 2023 provided a full insight into the sector’s innovation over the three days of the exhibition, while also focusing on trends and development opportunities.
A number of high-profile speeches took place, including, for example, that of Architect Cino Zucchi and the associates of ALA-Assoarchitetti, which discussed the topic of the change that the use of new technologies is bringing to the city and buildings, and how technology is changing the habits of citizens, also impacting the real estate sector.
A topic that also marked the high-level debate that characterised the third Milano Smart City Conference, which for the first time took place in two different sessions: the first on 14 November at Assimpredil ANCE in Milan and the second at Fiera Milano on 15 November.
SMART BUILDING EXPO will be back at Fiera Milano from 19 to 21 November 2025, as part of the MIBA-Milan International Building Alliance, confirming the same formula while also featuring SBE, SICUREZZA, MADE expo and GEE-Global Elevator Exhibition.
The building automation system market is expected to reach USD 155.9 billion by 2028 from 88.4 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 12.0% during the 2023- 2028 period. New research report from Marketsandmarkets, finds that this market is in the development phase at present, with the presence of multiple players offering building automation system technologies.
Energy efficiency is key
The rising costs of energy and the introduction of stringent energy efficiency regulations have underscored the importance of monitoring energy consumption within buildings. Building energy management software plays a pivotal role in enabling building operators and homeowners to continually oversee and assess the energy usage in structures. These systems not only alert building operators and owners about deviations in energy consumption but also furnish actionable insights for achieving energy savings.
Emphasis on becoming eco-friendly
The building sector stands out as a significant global energy consumer, consistently accounting for over one-third of the world’s total energy consumption. Additionally, it constitutes a substantial contributor to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. As noted by the International Energy Agency (IEA), in regions highly reliant on traditional biomass, energy consumption in buildings can represent an astonishing 80% of the entire regional energy use.
Significant opportunities for energy and cost savings
Building automation systems play a pivotal role in optimising energy utilisation, with a particular focus on HVAC and lighting control systems, known for their energy-intensive operations. According to IEA statistics, air heating, cooling, and water heating jointly constitute approximately 60% of global energy consumption within buildings, presenting a significant opportunity for energy reduction. Building automation systems offer the added benefit of automating HVAC and lighting systems, resulting in potential energy savings ranging from 5% to 30% of a building’s overall energy consumption.
Global players
The report profiles major players in the building automation system market such as Honeywell, Siemens, Johnson Controls, Schneider, Carrier, Bosch, Legrand, Hubbell, ABB, Crestron, Lutron, Cisco, Rockwell, Delta, Mitsubishi, Huawei, Beijer and Hitachi.
There was great interest in the first edition of MIBA, which saw more than 80,000 operators present. A synergy that enhances the role of security in the evolution of buildings and as a key element of integrated solutions
Digitalisation, customisation and efficiency are the drivers of the offer, but great interest in enhancing professional profiles also emerged during the three days. The drive for virtuous collaboration between the public and private sectors is increasing.
There was great satisfaction among exhibitors who saw their networking and business opportunities amplified in the MIBA setting.
Milan, 4 December 2023. Digital transition and cyber security, customisation – both functional and aesthetic -, efficiency – aimed at energy saving but also at user comfort -, sustainability, but also continuous professional training and the valorisation of public-private partnerships: these are the topics of discussion that characterised the latest edition of SICUREZZA, which closed at Fiera Milano on last 17 November, enthusiastically welcomed by companies and visitors. This enthusiasm was reinforced by the strategic MIBA-Milan InternationalBuilding Alliance, of which SICUREZZA is a part together with SMART BUILDING EXPO, MADE expo and GEE-Global Elevator Exhibition, and which was able to showcase building innovation across the board.
This proposal has significant numbers that confirm MIBA as a winning proposition: more than 80,000 operatorsfrom 111 countries met the 1350 exhibitors; all enriched by a solid campaign to recruit profiled top buyers with high spending power, identified in collaboration with the ITA-ICE Agency.
THE EXHIBITION PROPOSAL
SICUREZZA 2023 showcased the most innovative security&fire proposals, and also enhanced them, thanks to MIBA, in a wider scenario focusing on the evolution of buildings and cities in a smart direction.
There were three main trends in the offer: digitisation and high technology, necessary for ensuring quality and integration for each service; customisation, to meet the increasingly diverse needs of customers and application sectors, in terms of functionality, scalability, but also design; and efficiency in consumption and operations, to meet user demands for energy and cost savings, but also for comfort and accessibility. These trends are profoundly linked to each other, under the banner of an integrated approach, involving a new understanding of how to manage spaces – be they residential, infrastructures, retail or industrial – to suit real needs.
CCTV, fire prevention, intrusion detection, access control and passive security are increasingly converging with each other. The proposals presented were diverse and evolved, capable of exploiting artificial intelligence, deep learning and IoT to perform complex data reading and analysis automatically and quickly. Universal protocols, Apps and cloud-based management integrate and connect various services, where fire & security & safety systems are increasingly integrated with security systems, guaranteeing ease, efficiency, but also preventive maintenance.
Nowadays, videosurveillance is an advanced and multifaceted intelligent mechanism, remotely managed and often integrated with other intrusion detection and home-automation services, through customised solutions for any public or private environment. The new smart cameras are capable of autonomously tracking specific individuals or objects through established morphological parameters and can send immediate notifications via app in the event of abnormal behaviour. Advanced CCTV systems for access control provide analytical monitoring of incoming or outgoing flows, allowing even the profiling of human or road traffic in sensitive locations.
Access control, intrusion detection and passive security systems also address digital transition and integrated customised solutions for homes, workplaces and public spaces. The solutions are modular and can be integrated, allowing continuous updating, they can be managed by App and each part can be customised in design: handles and electronic cylinders are easy to install and offer modular solutions for remote access management in both small and large environments; smart video intercoms dialogue with the building’s internal mobility systems to facilitate access; control units and sirens can be managed via App and combine design shapes, low-impact materials, high-resistance paints and customisable colour finishes.
Fire protection fits into this ecosystem, with reliable, customised and digital solutions for predictive and comprehensive monitoring of all building features, not only in residential but also in important infrastructures.
At SICUREZZA, new multitasking fire alarm control panels were presented, capable of managing extinguishing, gas detection, emergency lighting, and public-addressing at the same time; new extraction systems were presented, capable of distinguishing a real fire from a false alarm; all accompanied by cloud and App solutions, capable of decisively simplifying both the installation and maintenance phases.
Similarly, in public contexts, security is evolving in a highly technological and tailor-made direction: SICUREZZA featured certified temporary anti-terrorism deterrents suitable for securing large events, advanced drone-detection systems capable of intervening on the aerial trajectories of suspicious drones, and robot dogs, ground-based drones that are used both on construction sites and in the event of earthquakes and natural disasters, to dig without putting human beings at risk.
CONTINUOUS TRAINING AND VALORISATION OF PROFESSIONS
Once again this year, SICUREZZA was fertile ground for professional development, with more than 50 industry-specific training events held over the three days of the event, which complemented the MIBA training schedule.
Vigilance Operators, Security Managers, Installers, System Integrators and Designers all found solutions in the events at the trade fair. Associations, publishers, certification bodies and companies were able to provide an accurate picture of a rapidly changing sector, with the intention of taking stock of today’s security industry culture, to ensure that it is recognised, disseminated and promoted, reaffirming the convergence needed between the public and private sectors.
Some of the topics discussed included: digital transition, digital-awareness of professionals, but also the necessary valorisation of their skills through training and certification. In addition to digitisation, there is also the issue of efficiency, a concept underpinning the new smart-building and smart-city, which aim to become accessible and sustainable spaces in both environmental and human terms, and therefore safe.
The fact that many Italian associations chose to hold their own institutional meetings during the event confirmed SICUREZZA as a relevant space for discussion for the sector, highlighting the desire and need to promote a public and shared exchange on current and future projects.
Lastly, the Cyber Security Arena events, organised by Business International, allowed us to take stock of the current situation of cyber security, including the objectives already achieved and the many risks still to be faced. The talks and the “useful” tips discussed cyber risk, artificial intelligence, and the current geopolitical scenario, but also Cyber Awareness, data security in Smart-Building and Smart-City, as well as the new frontiers of Cyber Threat Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and blockchain as an innovative approach to cyber security.
The next SICUREZZA event will be held from 19 to 21 November 2025, again as part of MIBA, which, after its successful debut, confirms its format.
In 2022, global security witnessed economic shifts, geopolitical tensions, and a profound impact on the security industry, which is anticipated to continue its growth trajectory
By: asmag.com; E-mail: editorial@asmideast.com
Looking back, security in 2022 operated in a world that saw a slowed recovery from COVID due to various factors, including inflation and geopolitical tensions. Economically speaking, the world had an average GDP growth of 4.1 percent in 2022, dropping from 5.5 percent in 2021, according to the World Bank. Advanced economies such as the U.S. and the Euro area grew 3.8 percent last year, down from 2021’s 5 percent, while emerging markets had a growth of 4.6 percent, down from 2021’s 6.3 percent.
China, meanwhile, registered a 2022 GDP growth of 5.1 percent, down from 9 percent in 2021, due to challenges on several fronts. Domestically, China issued lockdowns in different cities throughout 2022, in response to a rise in COVID cases. Then, there is China’s ongoing real estate crisis–the Chinese government’s effort to regulate the debt limits of major Chinese developers, like the Evergrande Group, had caused the country’s real estate market to tumble. External factors also played a role. Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China prompted the U.S. to place severe trade barriers and restrictions against China.
The security market is expected to see growth in 2023 and 2024, with video surveillance equipment predicted to grow by 11.8 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively
Impact on security
So how did these factors play out in security last year? Upon first look, they brought little change to this year’s Security 50. The top 10 global security manufacturers in access control and video surveillance in our 2023 Security 50 ranking are Hikvision Digital Technology, Dahua Technology, ASSA ABLOY, Axis Communications, Motorola Solutions, Allegion, Tiandy, Hanwha Vision (formerly Hanwha Techwin), Uniview Technologies and Aiphone. Hikvision and Dahua remain the world’s largest security companies, with 2022 security product/equipment sales reaching US$9.8 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively (based on the IRS’s 2022 average currency exchange rates). There were two new entrants: China-based smart home solutions provider MEARI and Korean biometric solution provider Union Community.
Yet a surprising part of this year’s Security 50 was the growth list. Of the 17 companies that registered 2022-2021 revenue declines, 12 were Chinese companies. While China companies’ revenue declines were somewhat expected given the environment, the number of companies that inked sales declines, and the magnitude of these declines (by as much as 40.2 percent), still caught us off guard.
Indeed, China’s internal and external challenges mentioned earlier–lockdowns, real estate crisis, and tensions with the U.S.–all played a part. “Chinese government spending was diverted away from other areas, including spending on video surveillance, and towards battling COVID-19 and supporting its economy during these lockdowns. Restrictions lasted much longer than many observers had anticipated, with the Chinese government finally easing its ‘zero Covid’ policy in December 2022,” said Jon Cropley, Principal Analyst, and Josh Woodhouse, Founder of Novaira Insights.
At the same time, U.S.-China tensions, which led to legislation like the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that bans the US government from purchasing video surveillance equipment by Hikvision and Dahua, had caused Western and non-China brands to register a proportional growth in their 2022 revenue. These include VIVOTEK, with a sales increase of 82.48 percent; Hanwha Vision, 47.52 percent; Axis, 36.01 percent; Milestone Systems, 30.43 percent; and IDIS, 22.17 percent. It should be noted that many of the U.S.’s Western allies, for example, the U.K., have also enacted NDAA-like legislation.
“The shift away from Chinese vendors continued at a pace not just in the U.S., but across Northern Europe and countries in Asia including Japan and South Korea. In part, many organizations and systems integrators want to standardize NDAA-compliant equipment to ensure existing and future business in the U.S., while end users are expressing concerns about looming regulations in the EU and Asia, cybersecurity weaknesses, and the potential for reputational damage connected to human rights abuses committed by some of the banned Chinese manufacturers,” said Jamie Barnfield, Senior Sales Director at IDIS Europe.
As for this year, Chinese companies are expected to fare better, even though they are not completely out of the woods yet. “The Chinese market is forecast to recover slightly in 2023 but remain well below its peak in 2021. Growth in demand will be much lower than in the years before the pandemic. At the same time, a weakening exchange rate between the Chinese yuan and US dollar will also dampen growth (when measured in US dollars),” Cropley and Woodhouse said.
The shift away from Chinese vendors continued at a pace not just in the U.S., but across Northern Europe and countries in Asia including Japan and South Korea
Yearly review and preview
For the security market in general, growth is expected this year and next, with Novaira Insights forecasting the market for video surveillance equipment to grow 11.8 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively, in 2023 and 2024.
Industry experts agree with that notion. “We observed some economic growth and expansion in 2023, although it has been unevenly distributed across different regions and sectors. This has had a mixed impact on the security industry,” said Choong Hoon Ha, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Hanwha Vision. “Despite the mixed economic impact, the security demands from society and individuals are still rising with the growing need for advanced network-based systems, such as intelligent surveillance cameras. Businesses are willing to invest in security solutions that protect their employees and assets, and even improve business efficiency and productivity by providing business insight.”
“Long-term, sustainable growth is at the heart of our business planning. We plan for 15 percent growth per year on average. And while the market itself is forecast to grow, Axis is again set to outpace it. We’ll achieve this by continuing to broaden our portfolio into new areas, such as intercoms, access control, audio solutions, and so on,” said Ray Mauritsson, CEO of Axis Communications.
Mobile credentials and digital wallets are emerging trends in 2023, providing greater value to end-users and system operators
Trends: AI, cloud, and mobile access more noticeable
As for predominant trends in security, AI and cloud still rank on top.
“Artificial intelligence will continue to provide opportunities for innovation across the industry. Application of AI to data streams from sensor fusion–combining and interpreting inputs from cameras and other sensory devices–will shift security solutions towards proactive capabilities that drive new value. AI’s influence is still in the transformational stage, for certain, but the applicability to the security industry is strong and clear,” said Vince Wenos, Senior VP and CTO of Allegion.
“This year, we have witnessed a growing demand from customers to maximize the capabilities of their cameras and sensors, with a strong emphasis on analytics. The industry continues to embrace the dominant trend of edge analytics, with an increasing number of camera manufacturers expanding their support for this technology,” said William Hinton, Product Line Manager for Video at Genetec.
According to Hanwha, customers are seeking technologies that can help them improve the accuracy of detection, make their video surveillance systems more scalable and cost-effective, and benefit from video analysis.
“In other words, they’re looking for surveillance technology powered by AI and cloud,” Choong said. “Many customers are still in the early stages of adopting AI and cloud-based video surveillance solutions. However, the adoption of these technologies is expected to accelerate in the coming years, as customers see the benefits that they can offer.”
Mobile credentials, meanwhile, have also emerged as a top trend in 2023. “Electronics continue to fuel significant growth for the industry across both hardware and solutions providers. Increasing adoption of mobile credentials and associated readers is providing a healthy lift,” Wenos said. “Mobile credentials continue to gain interest from customers, as they provide greater value to end users and system operators.”
Digital wallets, an offshoot of mobile access, are also gaining traction. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in digital wallets in large, tech-savvy office buildings. The first European rollout of an employee badge in Apple Wallet was at London’s 22 Bishopsgate, touted as the world’s smartest building. 14,000 mobile users at 22 Bishopsgate can now use just their iPhone or Apple Watch to access their offices, plus all the building’s amenities,” said Prabhu Patel, Commercial Director for Physical Access Control Solutions, ASEAN and India, at HID.
Cybersecurity continues to be a hot topic now that more and more devices are online. “For several years we’ve witnessed a growing focus on the cybersecurity of solutions. Customers are aware the risks are rising, demanding robust processes, vigilance, and transparency. When vulnerabilities do occur, vendor transparency is essential, allowing customers to respond as quickly as possible,” Mauritsson said.
Cybersecurity remains a top priority as more devices become online, with a growing focus on robust processes, vigilance, and transparency
Flexible payment
This year, we’re seeing at least two companies offering flexible payment options. These are i-PRO, who announced their FlexPay Financing, and Eagle Eye Networks, who launched their Eagle Eye Camera Direct Complete. The programs aim to help customers achieve more payment flexibility, reduce initial investment, and become more competitive in general.
“In some organizations, an increasing amount of security ops fall under the IT department’s responsibility, and they may have a preference for a greater amount of OPEX compared with the security industry’s typical preference for CAPEX purchases,” Cropley and Woodhouse said. “This type of transition is indicative of a cloud business model transition. However, only the video surveillance vendors themselves know whether the motive behind this is related specifically to products from specific competitors.”
Consolidation vs. smaller start-ups
Meanwhile, two competing forces continue to dominate in security. One is the continued consolidation of the industry. Recent examples include acquisition deals between ACRE and SISCO, Motorola Solutions and Rave Mobile Safety, and IDIS and Costar. Yet on the other hand, we’re also seeing the emergence of smaller companies focusing on cloud and AI. How these forces will play out remains to be seen.
Yet according to Cropley and Woodhouse, there are advantages to the scale of operation. “Each surveillance scenario is unique. Variables include the size of the installation, whether it is indoors or outdoors, and lighting and weather conditions. At the same time, the channel varies considerably by geographic location with a different set of distributors, systems integrators, and installers serving its needs. Large vendors have a range of solutions to meet all scenarios and have the resources to serve different channels in a wide range of geographies,” they said.
The security industry is witnessing both consolidation, as seen in recent acquisition deals, and the emergence of smaller companies focusing on cloud and AI, presenting a dynamic landscape for the future
Prevailing physical security trends in 2023: AI, Mobile Access Control and Integration
While the era of double-digit annual growth appears to be over for video surveillance, factors including AI-related innovations, expanding provision, and demand for more sophisticated analytics, the ongoing shift to IP cameras and improving camera resolution will continue to drive market growth
By: asmag.com; E-mail: editorial@asmideast.com
Memoori’s latest report into The Global Video Surveillance Business explores market prospects for cameras, storage, software & analytics from 2023 to 2028. Our latest estimates, based on a comprehensive analysis of the performance of a total of 322 companies operating in the global market, indicate that it generated revenues totaling $30.4Bn in 2022. We forecast that this market will experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.7% between 2023 and 2028, with revenues totaling $44.8Bn by 2028.
The AI imperative
The integration of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning into video surveillance is reaching unprecedented levels of maturity. Key drivers of this trend include various factors. First among them are practical Implementations, as earlier discussions on AI in surveillance have moved from theoretical to practical, with more real-world applications coming to the fore. Next, sophisticated analytics offer capabilities that have grown increasingly refined and reliable, reducing false alarms and allowing for more nuanced and actionable insights.
Also, the falling costs of implementing AI and Machine Learning are making these technologies accessible to a broader range of applications. Finally, there’s a widespread rollout of edge-based analytics, based on dedicated AI chip system-on-chip architectures that offers the ability to process data closer to its source, alleviating network bandwidth constraints and helping end-users to minimize the risk of transferring or processing privacy-related data.
We forecast that by 2028, the percentage of network security cameras with onboard AI capabilities is projected to rise from today’s 18% to over 50%. These advancements are fueling new features like object recognition, behavior analysis, and other forms of intelligent monitoring.
As data volumes and the demand for analytics rise, we expect the market for Video Management Software (VMS) & analytics to significantly outpace growth in the wider market, here, we are forecasting growth at an 8.4% CAGR from 2022-2028. Here, the progressive transition to cloud-based analytics driven by requirements to amplify the power of video analytics by leveraging centralized computing resources is set to continue.
By 2028, the percentage of network security cameras with onboard AI capabilities is projected to rise from today’s 18% to over 50%
Access control: Mobile gains traction
Turning to access control, our market forecasts for this year’s analysis are still being finalized, but initial indicators are that Electronic Access Control market growth is set to outpace Video Surveillance market growth for the coming 5 years, reversing the dynamics that have been in play across Physical Security for over a decade. Here, the underlying supply chain and security dynamics are similar, geopolitical uncertainties are having a much more muted impact. Biometrics adoption has been somewhat stalled due to behavioral and attitude changes resulting from COVID, but we see the primary driver for growth is the progressive shift to mobile-based access control.
From a user standpoint, the allure of mobile access control lies in its convenience, enhanced security features, and the flexibility it offers for system administration. Customers, too, are taking note. According to a recent survey on access control trends, 42% of respondents worldwide now have plans in place to upgrade to mobile-ready systems. Our preliminary data aligns with this sentiment, projecting that by the end of 2023, mobile-based systems could constitute around 20% of all newly issued access control credentials for non-residential buildings.
While the transition to mobile-based systems is underway, it isn’t without its own challenges. Privacy and cybersecurity remain key concerns amongst many end users, particularly in cases where personal devices are proposed as the primary means of access control. For this reason, some organizations remain reticent to back the shift, still preferring the use of physical cards to mitigate the risks associated with personal data exposure on mobile devices.
By the end of 2023, mobile-based systems could constitute around 20% of all newly issued access control credentials for non-residential buildings
Tying it all together
As the physical security industry evolves, integration continues to move to the forefront as a business imperative. Rather than maintaining each individual security component (video surveillance, access control, or intruder detection) in individual silos, companies are now looking for new cross-functional efficiencies and value add opportunities across the BIoT. There’s a burgeoning demand from both users and vendors for unified platforms that not only streamline workflows but also enrich data insights by correlating information across domains. Deeper forms of interoperability that span data structures, analytics, identity management, and automation capabilities are emerging, fostered by expanded cross-domain partnering networks and improving API functionality.
One of the key enablers in this transformation is improving the standardization of security data and its metadata. Providing more contextually rich data is needed to inform more intelligent decision-making across these previously siloed systems, and can be invaluable when integrated into a broader security or building management system, enabling more nuanced and responsive actions like selective door locking or lighting adjustments based on occupancy, or scheduling elevator movements to match patterns of people movement within a building, saving energy and enhancing building user experiences.
Legacy systems, proprietary protocols, and the absence of standardized data formats will also continue to act as common roadblocks to integration until such systems are progressively phased out. As the industry moves toward more standardized solutions, and cross-functional expertise grows, we can expect deeper, more seamless integrations to become the norm rather than the exception.
Electronic Access Control market growth is set to outpace Video Surveillance market growth for the coming 5 years, reversing the dynamics that have been in play across Physical Security for over a decade
Looking forward
The physical security market clearly remains in a state of flux, influenced by technological advancements, geopolitical shifts, and an increasing focus on integration and ethics. Companies that can adapt to these changes, innovate, and offer intelligent, integrated solutions are likely to thrive. But this is not a market for the complacent; staying ahead will require constant innovation, ethical considerations, and perhaps most crucially, the ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions.
As the physical security industry evolves, integration continues to move to the forefront as a business imperative
Interview: Swift Wu, General Manager of the International Department at ZKTeco
Swift Wu, General Manager of the International Department at ZKTeco, discusses how the company effectively addressed industry challenges in 2023 and shares key insights on how regions like the Middle East are emerging as hubs that hold great potential for economic growth
By: asmag.com; E-mail: editorial@asmideast.com
Founded in 2007, ZKTeco has long established itself as a leading global provider of hybrid biometric identification technology. In August 2022, the company marked a momentous occasion when ZKTeco successfully became a publicly listed company on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
asmag.com: What was 2023 like for ZKTeco? What were the challenges and how was ZKTeco able to respond?
Wu: Looking back at 2023, it was a pivotal year for ZKTeco and the industry as a whole. The world was showing signs of economic recovery. However, global economic performance did not meet expectations. While there were improvements, some sectors like retail lagged behind others in recovery. Some regions continued to grapple with lingering economic deficits, resulting in postponed or canceled government projects. In more extreme cases, rapid currency depreciation led to economic instability. Despite these challenges, certain economies outperformed others, with significant changes seen in lifestyles and business operations. The shift towards remote work and online shopping had a considerable impact on our business, particularly in areas like time attendance systems and other B2B security solutions. While many companies have begun asking their employees to return to the office, we anticipate that some changes in working practices may be permanent. Compounding these difficulties were escalating geopolitical tensions, with some nations in conflict or facing economic sanctions. These global issues led to an influx of vendors branching out into overseas markets to compensate for domestic economic downturns. Many employed a skimming strategy, offering low prices to penetrate new markets. This approach not only disrupted local markets but also threatened the sustainability of local suppliers due to the extremely low-profit margins. ZKTeco, with its longstanding presence in international business, was well-equipped to navigate these challenges.
We anticipate a return to economic stability, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East. These regions are becoming hubs for manufacturing and IT jobs, and we foresee considerable economic growth there
Asmag.com: Can you share some noteworthy accomplishments from the past year?
Wu: In the past year, we at ZKTeco have made strides in expanding our business along both horizontal and vertical dimensions. We consider horizontal expansion as into new business sectors or lines, and vertical expansion as penetrating higher or lower market sectors. In 2023, we focused on establishing a solid foundation for future growth. One of our notable achievements was the investment and development of our next-generation access control systems. These systems, built on universal industrial standards, are fortified with intelligent and flexible functions. To accomplish this, we incorporated multiple advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and big data. This integration solidifies our position at the forefront of the industry and offers our clients the most sophisticated solutions. Simultaneously, we’ve made significant progress in our vertical expansion. We are on the verge of launching a new product line that provides real-time managed advertisements, professional digital displays, digital signage, and digital posters. This system is fully enhanced by computer vision technology, addressing the limitations of conventional advertisement placement tools that cannot push correlated advertisements to audiences on demand. In our system, front-end cameras utilize computer vision technology to provide active video analytics. This includes text recognition, pattern recognition, and behavior analysis. Our edge devices then push correlated advertisements to the audience based on these analytics. This technology greatly enhances the accuracy of advertisement placement and provides reliable statistical information to advertisers.
Notable achievements included the investment and development of our next-generation access control systems, fortified with intelligent functions and incorporating advanced technologies like AI, cloud computing, and big data
Asmag.com: How is ZKTeco strategizing for 2024? Where do you see new business opportunities in the market?
Wu: While the world continues to face conflicts and unstable situations, we remain optimistic for 2024. We anticipate a return to economic stability, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East. These regions are becoming hubs for manufacturing and IT jobs, and we foresee considerable economic growth there.
Our strategy for expansion has always centered around localization. We adhere to a management philosophy of decentralization — we believe that providing our branches and departments with autonomy allows them to deliver optimal results, spurred by an effective motivational system. In response to the tense political situations among global superpowers, we’ve invested resources to ensure dual supply chains. This strategy will enable ZKTeco to maintain the production and delivery of our solutions to partners and clients, regardless of external circumstances. As of 2023, our biometric technology is among the top in the industry according to the NIST competition results. We firmly believe that biometrics is the future of human identity authentication and are committed to providing top-notch biometric technology across various solutions and applications. Alongside biometric technology, we believe that cloud-based and SaaS platforms are becoming mainstream. Soon, ZKTeco will launch several SaaS platforms for access control, visitor management, and time-attendance services. This is just the beginning of our journey to provide cloud-based services, with more to come in the next few years. Indeed, 2023 marked an exciting time for advancements in AI technology, with ChatGPT (GPT-4), in particular, garnering global attention. As a technology-based company, we at ZKTeco have embraced these advancements, incorporating AI to enhance our solutions in numerous ways. We are optimistic that the integration of GPT-4 with our existing solutions will result in improved user experiences and more efficient system operations. However, it’s crucial to remember that ChatGPT is just one facet of AI. AI technology as a whole offers a broad range of opportunities to enhance our solutions, and we’ve been keen to leverage these opportunities. For instance, we use AI in our biometric algorithms, where machine learning techniques allow our systems to improve accuracy and performance over time.
The shift towards remote work and online shopping had a considerable impact on our business, particularly in areas like time attendance systems and other B2B security solutions
IDIS has provided a full 1,000 camera solution for the Zedwell Piccadilly Hotel in London, UK. The video technology manufacturer collaborated with integration partner, Rukey Solutions, to ensure the project was completed in just two months.
Zedwell Piccadilly Hotel
The Zedwell Piccadilly was recently expanded and transformed with a top-to-bottom refurbishment. According to IDIS, this included an extension with a major annex in neighbouring Great Russell Street, which brings the total number of rooms to over 700. Video surveillance is an important resource for the hotel’s management team and staff. Not only does this it improve safety, it enhances and subsequently improves guest experiences whilst ensuring security for visitors and employees.
IDIS video surveillance solution
Offering plug-and-play connectivity and immediate interoperability of IP cameras, NVRs and network accessories, IDIS DirectIP played a pivotal role in the project. The new system is made up of 413 x full HD IR dome cameras, offering crisp and clear image capture even in low-light, including up to 20m distances in darkness. The project also features 40 x 5MP IR Super Fisheye Compact cameras, replacing multiple fixed lens cameras and allowing the most efficient wide area scene coverage of the hotel’s communal areas. In addition, 14 HD IR bullet cameras were installed to cover locations including entrances, exteriors and back-of-house areas including loading bays and stock rooms. At the heart of the solution, making extended image storage affordable, are ten 8000 Series 4K NVRs. The solution is supported and operated using IDIS Center VMS.
“The heart of London’s West End”
Jan Kotze, Head of Security, Zedwell said: “Guests look to us for a relaxing experience and great value in the heart of London’s West End and now, with this upgraded IDIS video solution, they also have the assurance of enhanced security, safety and the most efficient possible service.”
Smiths Detection has been selected for EU funding as part of a consortium to develop an intelligent border control screening algorithm. The company has confirmed that the algorithm will automatically detect narcotics in passenger baggage.
Narcotics detection algorithm
The consortium, BAG-INTEL, is coordinated by Legind Technologies and funded by Horizon Europe – the primary funding program for research and innovation of the EU. This consortium combines technology providers and customs agencies to solve customs and border control challenges by targeting specific bags ‘needing manual inspection’. According to Smiths Detection, its role will be to create an effective narcotics detection algorithm. The company’s algorithm will be developed by leveraging material discrimination. In addition, shape-based deep learning will play a pivotal role.
Making the world a safer place
“Smiths Detection is committed to advancing the uptake of digital solutions for everyday detection needs and being part of this consortium is another example of this,” said Glenn Tracey, Science and Technology Director, Smiths Detection. “The development of the narcotics detection algorithm aligns perfectly with work that we are already doing in this area and will be an excellent addition to the iCMORE family. “Most importantly, working closely with our partners is a positive step in supporting the ongoing fight against narcotics and making the world a safer place.”
Having started only 8 years ago with its entry into the global intrusion market, the company is now expanding horizontally by adding entirely new product verticals to its portfolio. Ajax Systems has introduced whole new CCTV products with a different approach to privacy.
The company’s latest camera line up includes the Turretcam, Bulletcam, and Domecam Mini, which have been designed to embody the signature of Ajax design shapes. Each camera model is packed with one of four possible configurations: a lens with a viewing angle of 85 or 110 degrees and 3K or 4K resolution. Every Ajax camera is engineered to easily adapt to changing light with True WDR technology. This smart tech, involving hardware and software, fixes uneven lighting in complex scenes, frame by frame, in real-time.
Also, the cameras are equipped with a digital microphone, that uses a custom noise cancellation system, and in addition, all the cameras meet the IP65 protection class, capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions.
The new cameras seamlessly utilise the Ajax Cloud to transmit system events. The proprietary Jetsparrow technology ensures fast peer-to-peer transmission of video data. With AI analysis capabilities, these cameras can detect and recognise various object types, such as humans, vehicles, and pets. As a result, the surveillance system is able to record only relevant events, conserving storage space.
Video archive can be further optimised by setting up the pixel movement detection feature, and specific zones can be defined to ensure recordings are triggered only when movement occurs in the selected area. To make surveillance precisely selective, it is also possible to enable cameras only when the system is armed.
New NVR
The synergy of Ajax systems and video surveillance will be delivered by Ajax NVR — network video recorder. It offers integration with Ajax video management system (VMS), ensuring seamless synchronisation with the entire Ajax ecosystem, and allows wide compatibility with most IP cameras. The NVR is available in 8 and 16-channel versions, providing instant access to video archives through the Jetsparrow streaming technology with TLS encryption.
We cordially invite you to join us in the upcoming webinar titled “How to Make the Most Out of Your PA/VA System?”
This webinar is designed to help organizations better understand the use of Voice Alarm (VA) and Public Address (PA) systems, as well as their integration with other building systems. These systems play a critical role in the evacuation of people during emergency incidents, making them a crucial component of almost any security system.
Furthermore, PA/VA systems are not limited to security systems and have practical applications in various fields. In the webinar, experts in PA/VA systems will provide insights on how to make the most of these systems.
The session will provide valuable insights that will help learn how to optimize your PA/VA system and make the most of it.
Speakers:
Dragan Petrović, Sales Representative, ATEIS Europe
Andreas Kreuzer, Sales Engineer, TOA Electronics
Henning Matthies, Director Business Development, Zenitel
Marco Morimanda, Area Manager & Product Specialist, PASO
Hanwha Vision, the global vision solution provider, has achieved “ISO 27001 (ISO/IEC 27001)” certification, the international standard for information security, and has been recognized for its stable information security management system (ISMS).
ISO 27001 is the world’s best-known standard for ISMS, established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). In order to achieve this certification, a company must pass 93 controls organized into four sections, including organizational, physical, technological, and people controls.
Hanwha Vision voluntarily pursued this certification to develop its information protection management system, a key ESG item, and to improve the company’s security level. It has achieved more effective results by acquiring the latest version of ISO 27001 (2022) that reflects rapidly changing digital environment trends, such as cloud, IoT, and AI.
Hanwha Vision has been managing internal security for the past 30 years, constantly emphasizing the importance of security to fulfill its social responsibilities as a company that provides security solutions based on vision technology. The company conducts regular security tests led by its in-house security specialized team, S-CERT. And this year, the company was selected as a CNA (CVE Numbering Authority) organization, working alongside leading tech companies globally to manage the program’s vulnerabilities. Hanwha Vision has also acquired numerous security certifications from reputable global authorities such as UL CAP, FIPS, and TTA.
Hanwha Vision will take this certification as an opportunity to raise the level of information security and strengthen its efforts to become a more reliable partner for its partners and customers.
“Technology advancement is like a double-edged sword in security.” a Hanwha Vision official said, “As a global vision solution provider that develops and utilizes technologies such as AI and cloud, we will never stop thinking about and realizing sustainable technologies to maximize the positive functions of state-of-the-art technologies and to utilize them safely at the same time.
