The UK will conduct trials this year allowing air travellers to bypass passport checks by using biometric gates, as reported by The Times. According to UK Border Force Director-General Phil Douglas, this face biometrics system, inspired by implementations in Dubai and Australia, aims to enhance security and streamline passenger processing under the upcoming Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme, connecting to immigration systems to prevent ineligible travellers from boarding.

Assuming successful trials, the UK plans to replace 270 gates at air and rail ports, gradually phasing out legacy passport desks over the next two to three years. The expansion of the biometric e-gates system, originally for UK and EU travellers, has faced challenges, including a major failure in May 2023. However, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme is set to broaden its eligibility to nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan in February, with an eventual extension to all non-visa-requiring short-term visitors.

In October, Transport Canada discreetly requested information for its Air Right Touch project, planning to implement face biometrics for traveller verification without physical passports, aligning with the International Air Transport Association’s OneID concept. The Canada Border Services Agency is exploring facial recognition for border checks, prompting speculation about a potential new biometric database, though concerns about misidentification have been raised.

Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority is seeking the Ministry of Transport’s approval to persist with using face biometrics for authenticating air passengers with electronic chip-based ID documents. Proposed by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, the policy targets travellers with chip-based IDs who consent to share personal information and biometrics, with equipment procurement set for completion at selected airports by the first quarter of 2024.

The U.S. Department of Defense, in collaboration with the FBI, Massachusetts State Police, and numerous other agencies, deployed the Joint Analytic Real-Time Virtual Information Sharing System (JARVISS), powered by Everbridge, to monitor and identify potential threats during the Army-Navy game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts in December.

“Over the years we have heavily relied on the utilization of JARVISS and its team from Everbridge for our annual Army-Navy football game. It has been a significant force multiplier that has proven essential for mission security, advanced threat notifications, geospatial planning, and detailed assessments”, said Matthew Cassidy, Force Protection / Antiterrorism Chief (G34), U.S. Military Academy, West Point.

JARVISS, the DoD Enterprise Solution by Everbridge, will deploy for the Army-Navy game at Gillette Stadium, ensuring safety for over 65,000 spectators and 500 staff. Led by Timothy Baker, the on-site Everbridge JARVISS team will ensure seamless collaboration, integrating data to enhance situational awareness and coordinate responses among departments.

“We consider it a great honour to celebrate and work alongside our military and veteran partners to help ensure that one of the great traditions in American athletics is carried out safely and with peace of mind for everyone involved”, said David Wagner, CEO of Everbridge.

Everbridge, during the 2022 Army-Navy game in Philadelphia, swiftly set up an Emergency Operations Center, addressing public safety threats and critical business events while facilitating information sharing among partner agencies.

Everbridge’s public safety solutions streamline communication for events like the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square, where the City of New York deployed the platform for emergency alerts, ensuring efficient communication throughout gatherings to enhance overall safety.

ZKTeco, a globally leading provider of security products and solutions, was awarded the ‘Technological Innovation Award’ in the physical security category at the Security Awards Korea 2023 ceremony on the 26th of December 2023, highlighting its exceptional contributions to the Korean security industry.

The esteemed ceremony, attended by distinguished guests including the Korean Minister of SMEs and Startups, and the Chairman of the Korea Security Association, showcased ZKTeco’s commitment to advancing the field of security through its innovative solutions. Since its establishment of the Korean branch in 2020, ZKTeco has shown remarkable growth.

By offering a wide range of products that leverage various biometric technologies, including fingerprint, facial recognition, palm vein, and iris recognition, ZKTeco’s versatility enables customers to selectively adopt different products according to their needs. The company is particularly popular in Korea for its palm vein and palmprint recognition products, and it provides integrated security platform software that is unique in the market. ZKTeco’s cutting-edge technologies, including biometric access control, time attendance systems, and surveillance solutions, have been widely recognized for their effectiveness, reliability, and user-friendly interfaces.

Richard Lee, CEO of ZKTeco Korea said, “We are much honored to receive the Award at the Security Award Korea. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of security technology and providing solutions that enhance safety and efficiency for our customers.”

According to Polaris Market Research, the global security testing market was valued at USD 9.30 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 41.60 Billion By 2032, growing at a CAGR of 16.2% during the forecast period.

Software security testing is a critical process that aims to uncover vulnerabilities, threats, and risks within a software application. By examining the system, it effectively helps mitigate the risk of information loss, revenue loss, and damage to the organisation’s reputation. This is important for businesses of all sizes, as it helps pinpoint potential weaknesses and loopholes in the software system, whether from internal or external sources.

The global security testing market is experiencing a surge due to the growing reliance on web and mobile-based critical business applications, which necessitates heightened endpoint protection. Enterprises are taking measures to ramp up security to thwart financial losses resulting from increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks. Additionally, stringent government regulations mandating the adoption of security testing solutions and services are propelling market growth.

However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, such as a shortage of skilled security professionals and the high costs associated with conducting security tests. Nevertheless, the rise in cloud-based security testing adoption, along with advancements in technologies like DevOps, DevSecOps, and Agile in software security testing, is poised to provide lucrative opportunities for market expansion in the forecast period.

Evolving Cyber Threats Drive the Market

Cloud-based security testing solutions are becoming increasingly popular due to their scalability and cost-effectiveness. As emerging technologies such as IoT and blockchain gain prominence, specialised testing services become essential. The growth of the market is further driven by the continuous evolution of cyber threats, which makes security testing an indispensable investment for organisations that want to strengthen their digital infrastructure and maintain customer trust.

Some of the key players in this sector and mentioned within the research include Accenture PLC, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, DXC Technology Company, IBM Corporation, Micro Focus International plc, NCC Group plc, Paladion Networks Private Limited, Qualys, Inc., Rapid7, Inc., Synopsys, Inc., Trustwave Holdings, Inc., Veracode, Inc., Whitehat Security, Inc. (acquired by NTT Ltd.), Wipro Limited and 7safe Limited (acquired by PA Consulting).

The DARLENE (DEEP AR LAW ENFORCEMENT ECOSYSTEM) project, funded by the European Union under Horizon 2020, aims to implement cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) technology to assist law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and first responders in making more informed and faster decisions in the battle against crime and terrorism.

The project has now reached its final month. By integrating innovative AR technology in smart glasses, robust computer vision algorithms, and advanced 5G network architectures, DARLENE has successfully facilitated real-time data processing for law enforcement agencies facing high-pressure situations. As the project concludes, considering the achievements over these three years, particular emphasis is placed on the execution of two pilot cases that demonstrated the diverse capabilities of the developed solutions.

The DARLENE project is coordinated by the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) and the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) as the technical lead, with the participation of twelve partners from ten European countries.

ONVIF has announced an agreement with the Open Security & Safety Alliance (OSSA) to take over the development of data ontology and metadata specifications. The initiative will continue under a new ONVIF metadata working group.

The new ONVIF metadata working group is focused on developing standardised ways of richly describing the context in which objects of interest appear in the captured video. This work enables the physical security industry to easily share and make use of data generated by analytics applications running on IoT devices, like cameras, for security and analytical purposes.

“ONVIF is excited to build on this platform to ensure descriptive and detailed data that is generated by ONVIF conformant products can be used across surveillance systems and elsewhere,” said Leo Levit, Chairman of, ONVIF Steering Committee. ”We encourage ONVIF Full and Contributing members and their registered affiliates to join the new metadata working group and contribute to this initiative.”

Hikvision has announced significant enhancements to its Hik-Partner Pro (HPP) app. This will improve the mobile experience with seamless installation and control of smart managed switches and security devices from a single, unified system. This year, Hikvision introduced its Smart Managed Switches, which integrate effortlessly with the HPP app. This provides installers with a user-friendly solution for managing various devices through one comprehensive system, allowing for fast delivery and easy remote device operations and maintenance.

Randy Qian, Product Director at Hikvision, says: “At Hikvision, we strive for your operational convenience. Our enhanced HPP app offers an optimized visual representation and interaction of network topologies, ensuring that device connections and network status are easily accessible. This makes it far easier for installers to manage security systems remotely”.

 Mobile convenience based on a one-stop solution

The enhancements to the HPP app significantly increase convenience for installers by providing a single environment for managing switches and security devices remotely. The one-stop solution provides three key benefits:

Simplified setup: With the app, installers can set up the system via their smartphone. This eliminates the need for extra equipment, such as computers or monitors. Topology at a glance: Installers can view the entire network topology on their mobile device, giving them immediate system insights, allowing them to identify and fix malfunctions faster. Effortless maintenance: Installers can use the system’s remote maintenance capabilities to carry out troubleshooting tasks directly on their phones, with no need for expensive, time-consuming site visits.

 Tools for optimizing the network topology

In the latest iteration of HPP, the network topology feature has been greatly improved. One of the key upgrades is an easy-to-navigate interface for faster and more accurate visualization of the network structure.

To enhance topology visualization, the new version of HPP provides a range of features that enhance system visibility. The features, which include “aggregation”, “zoom”, “landscape view”, and “stacking”, provide in-depth details of the system topology, device status and other notifications. All of this gives users immediate insights into network health, bandwidth usage, power usage, and device details.

Real-time video from integrated IP cameras can also be viewed directly in the app, enabling better situational analysis and more efficient equipment management. The ability to zoom in and out of screenshots further extends the benefits for end users.

 Networking and security in one

Managing video and networking devices across various platforms can be complex, but the smart managed switch simplifies the process. Seamless integration with the HPP app ensures a streamlined management experience and a quick visit to the switch site gives users a comprehensive view of device interconnections and switch port status across the entire topology.

Hikvision strives for deep integration between video and switches and plans to expand this integration to other network devices soon. This strategy will ensure that installers continue to enjoy streamlined, efficient, and secure networking management solutions.

On its 100th anniversary, Interpol has announced the launch of a new biometric hub, BioHUB, which is powered by Idemia’s latest Multibiometric Identification System (MBIS) and is set to be rolled out to border control points globally.

The hub enables officers to identify suspected terrorists or criminals through direct photo and fingerprint checks against Interpol databases. MBIS 5 integrates new-generation algorithms which are designed to provide a higher matching accuracy rate with a shorter response time and a more user-friendly interface.

Interpol and Idemia disclosed that the first phase of its deployment to enhance the identification of potential persons of interest (POIs) has already been operational since October 2023. In mid-November, a fugitive wanted since 2021 under organized crime and human trafficking charges was arrested after the new biometric hub flagged that he was a POI as he attempted to travel through Europe.

“A fugitive can change their name and many aspects of their appearance to try and escape justice, but it is difficult if not impossible to change your biometric data,” said Cyril Gout, Interpol’s director of operational support and analysis. “This is why biometrics remain the most reliable way to identify someone.”

The second phase, which will be rolled out over the next two years, will extend this tool to border control points. The system will then be able to perform up to one million forensic searches per day, including fingerprints, palm prints and portraits, making it the top performing automated biometric identification system on the market.

Previous checks against Interpol’s biometric databases were subject to separate, multi-step processes that systematically included human handling or review, meaning that any hits may not be immediately flagged to the requesting officer. The new biometrics hub enables data to be submitted through a single interface, which provides quick results and allows users to monitor the status of their requests.

In line with Interpol’s data governance policies, biometric data run through the hub in a search is not added to the organization’s criminal databases, is not visible to other users and any data that does not result in a match is deleted following the search.

Idemia and Interpol began their collaboration in 1999, when Idemia delivered the original Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). In 2016, Interpol selected Idemia’s facial recognition capabilities to create the Interpol Face Recognition System (IFRS). The IFRS contains face images from more than 170 countries, and since its launch, thousands of terrorists, criminals, fugitives, POIs, and missing persons have been identified. In 2019, Interpol its contract with Idemia to upgrade the current system and transform it into the MBIS.

March Networks^®, a global leader in video surveillance and video-based business intelligence solutions, is thrilled to announce a historic partnership with Garanti BBVA, one of Turkey’s leading banks. This agreement marks a significant shift for Garanti BBVA from analog to digital video surveillance and involves the deployment of over 22,000 IP cameras and 5,000 Network Video Recorders (NVRs) across their extensive network of 883 branches and over 4,000 ATMs.

Garanti BBVA, a trailblazer in the Turkish banking sector, has consistently led the way in technological innovations, such as being the first bank in Turkey to introduce Internet and Mobile banking in 1997. Their commitment to technology-driven progress remains a cornerstone of their corporate values.

In a strategic move, Garanti BBVA is now poised to become the first bank in Turkey to transition to an all-digital video surveillance platform. Their choice of March Networks over competitors was underpinned by three compelling factors:

1. Proven Banking Expertise: March Networks boasts an extensive global portfolio, serving over 600 banks worldwide, including some of the industry’s largest and most prominent institutions.
2. Centralized Management: March Networks offers a robust, reliable, and scalable solution based on IP cameras and NVRs that can be centrally managed, delivering substantial operational efficiencies, including reduced maintenance callouts, better uptime, and a reduction in overall video storage costs.
3. Video Surveillance +: The March Networks Searchlight for Banking solution elevates traditional video surveillance by integrating cutting-edge business intelligence capabilities. This enables banks to reduce theft and fraud by linking ATM transactions with video footage and enhancing the in-branch customer experience through innovative features like queue waiting time tracking.

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Garanti BBVA Mr. M.Feridun Aktaş stated “As Garanti BBVA, we aim to always be ahead in following and implementing developments in technology. We aim to provide our young security teams with more effective, smart and functional skills by renewing our Award-winning Video surveillance system in tens of thousands of locations in Turkey. I am sure that the project partnership we have established with March Networks will produce the first and only example of all of them.”

The comprehensive solution March Networks will deliver to Garanti BBVA includes over 22,000 IP cameras and 5,000 NVRs, all seamlessly managed through the March Networks Command Enterprise System (CES) Video Management Software (VMS). CES stands out as one of the few software platforms capable of effectively centralizing the management of such an extensive array of devices. Additionally, CES facilitates advanced system-wide health monitoring, ensuring that Garanti BBVA has real-time visibility into the status of all of their cameras and NVRs.

As part of the central management, March Networks will also deliver a massive, centralized storage solution for the offsite backup of the significant amount of video generated by that many IP cameras and NVRs.  March Networks offers one of the most flexible storage implementations in the industry with the ability to combine on-premise storage with private cloud and the public cloud, enabling Garanti the ability to manage their video data today and into the future.

Garanti BBVA will also have the ability to remotely access live and recorded video through the March Networks Command Client at their head office and through a web browser at their branches which means that everyone in the organization who needs access to the video can access it.

March Networks Director of Middle East Sales Trevor Sinden stated, “We are very pleased that Garanti BBVA has chosen March Networks to be their trusted partner to deliver their new completely IP-based Video Surveillance platform. With our strong background in the financial sector and our enterprise global scale with some of the largest banks in the world, together with our partner EEC Entegre Bina Kontrol Sistemleri in Turkey, we have the expertise and the ability to deliver incredible value for Garanti BBVA now and in the future.”

For more information about March Networks’ solutions for Banking please visit our website at www.marchnetworks.com/solutions/banking.  To speak to someone about our banking solutions, please contact us.

About March Networks
March Networks^® helps organizations transform video into business intelligence through the integration of surveillance video, analytics, and data from business systems and IoT devices. Companies worldwide use our software solutions to improve efficiency and compliance, reduce losses and risk, enhance customer service and compete more successfully. With deep roots in video security and networking, March Networks is also recognized as the leader in scalable, enterprise-class video management and cloud-based services. We are proud to work with many of the world’s largest financial institutions, retail brands, cannabis operators and transit authorities, and to deliver our software and systems through an extensive distribution and partner network in more than 70 countries. Founded in 2000, March Networks is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is owned by Delta, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions. For more information, please visit marchnetworks.com. March Networks and the March Networks logo are trademarks of March Networks Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.