Videonetics has entered into a distribution agreement with Ingram Micro, the global leader in technology and supply chain services.

Headquartered in the United States and with representation in 59 countries, Ingram Micro has an established network of 35K+ associates and serving 170K+ customers globally. Ingram Micro will distribute Videonetics AI & DL powered Intelligent VMS, video analytics, intelligent traffic management system and Meraface – facial recognition system, through their expansive channel partners network across India.

Having a market leadership as #1 VMS provider in India and top 5 in Asia, Videonetics is all set to consolidate and further expand its market share, through this alliance.

On this appointment, Avinash Trivedi, VP – Business Development of Videonetics expressed, “At Videonetics, our partners and system integrators play an instrumental role in working closely with end customers. We are delighted to engage our distribution relationship with Ingram Micro. This strategic collaboration will boost our presence in the market, by developing strong bond with channel partners & resellers and delivering our state-of-the-art unified solutions to them, hence accelerating our growth plans in India.”

The global access control market with Covid impact is expected to grow from USD 8.6 billion in 2021 to USD 13.1 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 8.7%, according to the latest research from Marketsandmarkets.

The analysts suggest that continued adoption of Access Control as a Service (ACaaS); implementation of mobile-based access control; global proliferation of smart cities initiatives; and increasing urbanisation in emerging countries are expected to provide huge growth opportunities to the access control market players. The growth of the access control market is driven by high adoption of access control solutions owing to increasing crime rates globally; technological advancements and deployment of wireless technology in security systems; and adoption of IoT-based security systems with cloud computing platforms.

Biometric readers to witness the highest growth

Biometric technologies are used to measure different physiological parameters for identification and authentication purposes in access control systems. Within the report, the market for biometric reader-based access control systems has been further categorised into fingerprint recognition, palm recognition, iris recognition, face recognition, and voice recognition. Biometrics is one of the fastest-growing technologies used to secure perimeters. This technology enables identifying a person’s physical characteristics to provide controlled physical access to infrastructure. This technology is being increasingly used in government facilities, manufacturing units, power stations, defence establishments, and enterprises.

The commercial vertical is the largest end user of access control systems. In this vertical, commercial facilities such as enterprises and data centres; BFSI; retail stores and malls; and entertainment areas are considered. Manned security for all physical locations is difficult and expensive. The demand for access control systems is increasing since they reduce the need for manned security to a greater extent, thereby reducing security expenditure. These factors were found to be encouraging commercial facilities to adopt access control systems to protect people and properties by the researchers.

North America largest geographical market

North America, according to Marketsandmarkets, is more advanced than other regions in terms of the implementation of access control systems. Companies in the US, Canada, and Mexico are making efforts to enhance their expertise and develop innovative access control systems and services. This provides them with greater competitive advantage to increase their share in the region’s access control market. The growing number of cyber and malware attacks in the region has compelled several governments and security agencies to enhance security features in their transactions through the deployment of RFID and biometric technologies, which is further contributing to the overall growth of the access control market.

Major companies involved in the development and supply of access control and cited within the report include many large global players such as Dormakaba, Assa Abloy, Johnson Controls, Allegion, Honeywell, Identiv, Nedap, Suprema, Thales, Bosch, NEC, and Idemia.

During the 51st General Assembly of Euralarm, the European association representing the fire safety and security industry, the members have chosen Jon Könz as new President of Euralarm.

Könz succeeds Martin Harvey who was President for the past 3 ½ years. Before being elected President Jon Könz was chair of the Services Section of Euralarm. He is head of Industry Affairs at Siemens Smart Infrastructure.

The 2021 General Assembly was held in Brussels where the outgoing President praised the work that was done in fostering internal communications in times when more and more people were bound to their (home) office and much of the communications takes place via online communication platforms. Nevertheless, the association succeeded in aligning opinions and developing clear priorities shared across the whole scope of the industries represented by Euralarm: product and system manufacturers, installers, integrators, service providers, and national associations from all over Europe.

Having added more than 10 new members over the past years, Euralarm now represents a bigger share of the industry, allowing the association to exert more influence at European level. Under Euralarm’s umbrella model, different industry disciplines are represented by distinct Sections with separate membership, but they work together in their high-level dialogue with institutional players and other European stakeholders.

The General Assembly also elected Anja Schäfer (JCI) as chair of the Marketing Committee whereas Dominique Taudin (Carrier) will remain as chair of the Advocacy Committee.

On the following day, section chairs and vice chairs were elected or re-elected by their respective section members. Neil Budd (FIA) was elected vice chair of the Fire Section, Milan Ceeh (AGA) will be the acting chair of the Security Section with Oscar Feijo Jimenez (Verisure) as vice chair. Robert Thilthope (FIA) will succeed Jon Könz as chair of the Services Section with Victoria Ferrera Lopez (Verisure) as vice chair. Alan Elder (JCI) and Tornbjörn Laursen (SikkerhedsBranschen) will remain as chair and vice chair of the Extinguishing Section.

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has launched its latest code of practice, an industry-first for security fogging.

Security Fog Systems: Installations, Commissioning and Maintenance – code of practice is the first of its kind intending to support the design, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of security fog systems conforming to EN 50131-8, as well as to serve as practical aid to mitigate risks and reach operational requirements.

Carl Gibbard, Vice Chair of the BSIA’s Security Equipment Manufacturers section, said: “I am pleased that the BSIA have worked with members and insurance companies to deliver a code of practice which closes a gap in the standards arena, can mitigate risks, and demonstrate the working ability of the professional industry who produce quality products.

Simple installation of an EN 50131-8 security fog device is not enough to consider all factors which may influence the effective operation of a system. This becomes apparent when security fog systems need to perform differently in various scenarios including hold up situations or burglaries.”

A significant amount of time and effort has been put into developing this code of practice on behalf of the industry sector, in an effort to provide a framework for designers, installers and maintainers who wish to apply the European product standard (EN 50131-8) in the UK, while addressing the specific needs of the UK market and its stakeholders.”

Security Fog Systems: Installations, Commissioning and Maintenance – code of practice is available on the BSIA website and has also been put forward to the Fire and Security Excellence Awards for Best Contribution to Standards in the Security Sector.

Allegion Ventures – the corporate ventures arm of Allegion plc – has launched a second fund to accelerate technology and software investments in IoT and data security, building analytics, construction lifecycle management and property management. $100 million is allocated to Fund II, double the size of Allegion Ventures’ initial $50 million fund that launched in March 2018.

Bobby Prostko has been named managing director for Fund II. Prostko, who joined Allegion Ventures as a principal in 2018, also serves as Allegion’s deputy general counsel, intellectual property and cyber security, and chief privacy officer. He said the success of partnerships built through Fund I drove momentum for the creation of Fund II, which will write initial checks that are generally in the range of $500,000 to $10 million.

“For more than three years now, Allegion Ventures has taken an investing approach designed both to deliver financial returns and to spur innovation,” Prostko said. “Given the success we’ve had with that approach, we’ll continue to invest in promising companies where Allegion Ventures can be a strategic partner, adding value through our expertise in global markets, commercial and channel relationships, security standards and operational excellence. We’re inspired by and want to explore new technologies and software solutions that creatively solve common problems in an expanded list of targeted sectors – and we’re in a position where we can take bigger bets for the right opportunities.”

President Rob Martens and Chief Marketing Officer Doshia Stewart, co-founders of Allegion Ventures, said the team remains active in its support of Fund I investments.

“Allegion Ventures continues to invest in its Fund I portfolio companies, and our principals and associates are actively involved with them as board members, observers and collaboration partners,” Martens said.

“We’re very proud of the innovation and growth we are seeing from the early-stage companies we’ve already invested in, as they go beyond traditional approaches to bridge physical and digital security and create seamless user experiences,” Stewart added.

Fund I is focused on people flow, seamless access, campus safety and asset management. Its seven active portfolio companies include HqO, Kasa, Mapped, Mint House, Pindrop, Robin and Vergesense.

“VergeSense is proud to be a part of the Allegion Ventures Fund I family, and we appreciate their continued strategic support of our business,” said Dan Ryan, CEO of Vergesense. “The Allegion Ventures team has brought a lot of value to Vergesense through its vast industry knowledge helping us to build a leading workplace analytics platform. We congratulate Allegion Ventures on the launch of Fund II and look forward to watching them expand the impact of innovative software and technologies that create seamless user experiences.”

Allegion Ventures Fund I additionally invested in Openpath Security, which was acquired by Motorola Solutions earlier this year.

A large warehouse and distribution centre is benefitting from a 64-camera video surveillance system from Dahua Technology. The site is the main UK warehouse for Pets Corner, a nationwide chain of more than 150 stores dealing with pets, pet food and pet accessories.

The purpose built 43,000 sq ft warehouse in West Sussex was opened last year and supplies all the UK stores and the company’s online business. The site features solar panels for lighting, heating and electric charging points and operates a zero-landfill policy. The objectives for the surveillance system are to monitor the health and safety of workers, reduce stock damage and shrinkage, and protect lorries parked in the yard overnight.

The cameras – installed by Urban Security Systems & Fire – comprise a mix of Dahua Starlight domes and AI bullet cameras. All have a minimum of 5MP resolution and feature AI analytics, enabling features such as face recognition, ANPR, content analytics, incident detection, people counting and heat maps. Cameras have high image quality, bandwidth efficiency using H.265 compression and edge analytics, and excellent low light performance. Cameras were colour-matched to blend in with the interior of the building by the distributor of the equipment, Oprema. The cameras are installed internally and externally, at the top and bottom of each aisle and at all delivery entry and exit points. The system is monitored out of hours by Southern Monitoring.

Power is delivered over Ethernet cable, so reducing and simplifying cabling requirements. Using ePoE cameras enabled the integrator to run cable over 95m in distance, and in one case as far as 160m. Other Dahua equipment installed was a 64TB NVR, three managed ePoE Ethernet switches, and a 24-port Gigabit L2+ managed ethernet switch.

“Dahua’s level of support to us has been outstanding throughout the project, and we are also impressed with the build quality of the equipment,” said Andy Lloyd, Director of Urban Security Systems. “The PoE type cameras greatly assisted with the design and installation of the cable infrastructure and kept costs down, negating the need for additional PoE switches due to the length of cable runs.”

Graham Denny, Director of Logistics at Pets Corner, said: “When building our new National Distribution Centre, we wanted a system that would not only give us maximum security but assist in maintaining operational and health and safety standards. The results from Urban Security Systems are excellent, providing us with outstanding video imagery, which is simple to use on my laptop, desktop and phone. Therefore I would highly recommend both the Dahua CCTV system for anyone with a similar requirement and of course Urban for their great installation, large parts of which were carried out safely and professionally while we were operational.”

Securitas acquires Stanley Security, the Electronic Security Solutions business from Stanley Black & Decker Inc. for a cash purchase price of US $3,200 million on a debt and cash free basis.

According to Reuters this will be the company’s biggest acquisition to date and essentially Securitas will be buying back a company that it originally floated on the Stockholm stock exchange in 2006 called Securitas Systems, which, Stanley Black & Decker bought in 2011.

Stanley Security is a highly reputable provider of electronic security solutions with operations in 12 markets globally, expected to generate sales of nearly US $1,700 million in 2021, of which around 40% is recurring revenue.

Significant commercial synergy opportunities with over 500,000 existing as well as new clients, adds significant scale and innovation potential in the attractive US $70 billion electronic security market, and creates a leading platform to accelerate growth.

The acquisition is expected to complete in the first half year of 2022, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions

By acquiring Stanley Security, Securitas transforms the dynamics of the security industry by creating a unique combination of presence, connected technology and intelligent use of data. Securitas’ strategy is to deliver comprehensive, scalable, and innovative security solutions to meet its clients’ increasingly complex security needs. Stanley Security’s complementary offering of industry-leading tech-enabled security, together with complementary geographical coverage, is in perfect alignment with this ambition. The acquisition is a significant step towards Securitas achieving its ambition of doubling sales from higher margin security solutions and electronic security by 2023.

Headquartered in Indianapolis in the U.S., Stanley Security has a  30-year history of protecting its clients world-wide through an industry-leading portfolio of tech-enabled security services, ranging from alarm monitoring to systems integration, as well as a specialised healthcare offering. The acquisition perimeter includes commercial electronic security and healthcare solutions, where Stanley Security has deep expertise and an extensive innovation pipeline, but excludes door automation. Today, Stanley Security is one of the most recognised electronic security providers worldwide, with approximately 7,800 employees operating through approximately 200 locations and 16 monitoring centres in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Ireland.

“This means that Securitas becomes an exceptional player in the security industry. Together with Stanley Security, our largest acquisition in history, the profile of Securitas changes from a leading guarding company with electronic security and solutions capabilities, to a leading intelligent security solutions partner”, says Magnus Ahlqvist, President and CEO. “The future of security is built around the combination of global presence, connected technology and intelligent use of data and, together with Stanley Security, Securitas is perfectly placed to win in this environment. Together, our offering is cutting edge and we will be in an outstanding position to deliver safety and peace of mind to clients and communities around the world.”

-Served in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Germany, Iraq, Kosovo and is renowned for his extensive knowledge of the Middle East

– First time speaking publicly since retiring from the military where he served for 44 years

Dubai, UAE: Intersec, the world-leading emergency services, security, and safety event, today announced that Britain’s former Chief of Defence Staff, Sir Nick Carter will share insights from his extraordinary 44-year military career at the event.

In his previous role, Sir Nick was the professional head of the British Armed Forces and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He joined the Army in 1977 and during his career he served in Germany during the Cold War, in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, in Cyprus with the UN and in command of a battalion on operations in Bosnia and Kosovo.

He was the Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army since 2014, leading it through the most recent Security and Defence Review in 2015. He assumed the appointment of Chief of the Defence Staff in 2018.

Speaking publicly for the first time since retiring from the military, Sir Nick will be speaking at Intersec which runs from 16-18 January 2022 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Commenting on his participation, Sir Nick said: “It is a pleasure to be invited to speak at Intersec, particularly during a time where our national interests and multilateral relations are challenged by an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. Having served in some of the region’s most challenging environments, I look forward to sharing valuable insights and experiences at what promises to be a fascinating forum at Intersec 2022.”

Having served in the Balkans, Sir Nick went on tours to Iraq as a brigade commander in 2003/4 and repeated tours to Afghanistan between 2002 and 2013. He was responsible, on his first tour, for the initial design of Provincial Reconstruction Teams and the Afghan National Army. He commanded 55,000 NATO troops in Regional Command South during the Afghan ‘surge’ and in his last tour led the transition process with the now former President Ghani as the NATO mission’s Deputy Commander.

Alex Nicholl, Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s Head of Intersec, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Sir Nick Carter at Intersec 2022. Without question he brings a unique set of insights, not just from a security perspective but in terms of multilateral political relations, defence strategy and the challenges of leading through some of the most extraordinary geopolitical moments in recent history.”

The 23rd edition of the flagship event is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and will be staged under the theme of ‘Uniting the World’s leading industry specialists for the safety & security of future generations.’

The extensive development of the show will see the best minds in the industry participate in a world-class three-day conference, with six industry pillars: Global Security Leaders’ Summit, Protecting Future Connected Cities & Citizens Conference, Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure Conference, Agile First Responders Conference, Cyber Lab and with a dedicated KSA Focus Day.

Signifying Intersec’s strategic importance to the UAE, Official Supporters include Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), Dubai Municipality and the UAE Cyber Security Council.

For more information please visit: www.intersecexpo.com.