CCTV Systems

PALM CITY, Fla. – RFID and mobile credential reader developer and manufacturer ELATEC Inc. recently announced that Chris Randall has joined ELATEC as senior business development outreach manager based in Scottsdale, Ariz. Related: Championing Safety: Enhancing Security at the 2024 Olympics with Facial Recognition Randall “brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in strategic planning, brand management and lead generation within the security and technology sectors,” according to the company announcement. In his new role, Randall “will spearhead the company’s go-to-market strategy, focusing on developing and implementing business development strategies to achieve growth objectives within the physical and logical access control OEM hardware markets,” the ELATEC announcement says. He “will be responsible for identifying and prioritizing potential OEM partners, generating and qualifying leads, and leading the pre-sales process to secure new partnerships,” accordin...

Regardless of whether an organization needs a retrofit, technology upgrade or new, fully integrated security operations, one of the most critical decisions a campus security director can make is choosing a systems integrator. With today’s constantly changing threat landscape and rapidly maturing technologies, working with a systems integrator that will allow the organization to remain agile now and into the future is more important than ever before. Ideally, a systems integrator will become a trusted partner, a guide and a source of knowledge. But finding that trusted partner can be a challenge. Let’s dive into three critical questions that will help campus security leaders on their journey to finding the right one for their organization. Why Does an Organization Need a Systems Integrator? Three of the biggest reasons why security leaders need a systems integrator are installation, service, and support. First and foremost, most campuses don’t have the resources or technolo...

Last month, I poked the bear on how you evaluate your sales/revenue machine. Having spent more years than I can count in the security sales arena, I’m here to share some street smarts, not theoretical “yada, yada, yada.” Related: Business Fitness: Who’s the Conductor of Your Technology Train? What I learned on the streets, working as a territory manager, then a national account salesman, then a sales manager, coupled with the last 27 years as a security business consultant , is what I am sharing with you in this column. Hire salespeople with a rare quality: grit.  This term also serves as the title of a book by Angela Duckworth. Go buy it; you won’t be disappointed. Her book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, explores the paradox of why highly qualified, competitive and motivated people, who had great grades, and who had recommendations from congresspeople, failed to make it through their first summer in the “Beast Barracks” at West Point Academy. In the mili...

HOBOKEN, N.J.— Essence SmartCare , part of Essence Group, a global developer of IoT remote care solutions, has announced the integration of its Umbrella mPERS device with major North American monitoring service providers, Affiliated Monitoring , AvantGuard/Armstrong’s Monitoring , and Rapid Response Monitoring . Essence SmareCare states this integration enables mass market expansion for the ultracompact Umbrella mPERS, ensuring monitoring stations can safely provide swift responses to each and every signal. The company says the device’s sleek, comfortable, and lightweight design encourages everyday use, allowing seniors and security-sensitive individuals to go about their days confidently, knowing they can receive emergency assistance at the push of a button. “Boosting Umbrella mPERS’ availability throughout the country is a pivotal step forward in our mission to enhance the safety and independence of everyone in need of an added layer of security,” says Yaniv Amir, president, Esse...

SARASOTA, Fla. – Connected and Protected has partnered with COPS Monitoring and NAPCO Security Technologies to support the Tunnel to Towers (T2T) Foundation . This collaboration, launched on July 4, initiated a security campaign to provide life safety devices to more than 800,000 veterans and retired military personnel, according to the joint announcement. Related: Security Industry Association Launches New Community for Veterans in Security CEO Frank Siller founded the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T) in memory of his younger brother, FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on Sept. 11, 2001. The foundation honors his legacy by supporting first responders, veterans and their families through various programs. These include providing mortgage-free homes for Gold Star families, offering financial assistance to catastrophic injury victims and supporting first responders with necessary equipment and training, the announcement says. Connected and Protected has also partn...

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — PSA Network is now accepting applications for PSA TEC 2025, its annual event for systems integrators, scheduled for March 23-26 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Denver. PSA TEC is “the premier education and networking event for professional systems integrators” and is open to all PSA member companies, according to the network announcement. It is “designed to meet the educational needs of employees within an integrator’s organization.” The education program “delivers live sessions that focus on leadership, innovation, sustainability, customer experience, physical security and more,” according to the PSA announcement. Potential speakers are invited to submit presentations by Sept. 16, 2024, for the opportunity to speak at TEC 2025. PSA will make the decision about which sessions will be included in the PSA TEC 2025 agenda on Nov. 1. How to Create a Perfect PSA TEC Session For PSA TEC 2025, organizers have decreased the overall number of sessions (three or fo...

AMITYVILLE, N.Y.—NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc., has announced the addition of new retrofit and takeover options for its Prima 7-inch Super Self-Contained Panel & Smart System. The company states the product line’s latest enhancements include video doorbells, cameras, smoke detectors, smoke/CO detectors, and various sensors, along with the newly introduced wireless and hardwire takeover modules, models PRETROFIT and PHW8RETRO, respectively. NAPCO explains its new Prima products are designed to save dealers time and costs, and these new modules allow seamless integration of existing security components into the advanced Prima system, providing users with the latest RMR-services, user interface, and app functionality. The Prima Wireless Translator, model PRETROFIT, supports up to 64 existing wireless security sensors by translating common 345MHz wireless devices, such as 2GIG and Honeywell unencrypted sensors, for use in the 433MHz (encrypted) Prima system without replacing the...

NEW ORLEANS – Identification verification software platform IDScan.net recently welcomed Dan Kelleher to its leadership team as vice president of operations, according to a company announcement. With “an extensive background in finance and a proven track record of driving operational excellence” during a 30-year career at Hertz, Kelleher’s appointment “marks a significant milestone in IDScan.net’s growth strategy,” according to the company announcement. “Reducing the business impacts of identity theft and fraud has been a key challenge throughout my career,” says Kelleher in the announcement. “I’m excited to join the other side – an organization leveraging technology to create solutions to reduce fraud. “Already in my short time here, I have seen firsthand how artificial intelligence, combined with significant investments in engineering, are necessary to combat modern, sophisticated fraud attempts,” he says. Why IDScan.net Hired Dan Kelleher Prior to joining Hertz, Kelleher beg...

Whether you’re an electronic security integrator or an AV integrator, you’ve probably heard a lot about recurring monthly revenue (RMR) lately, including why it’s in your interest to reorient your business toward it. RMR refers to revenue that integrators can bank on — no pun intended! — separate and apart from capital project cycles. You don’t need to re-win these monthly, quarterly or annual checks — for intrusion/burglar alarm monitoring, cloud-based services, video intrusion alarm verification, fire alarm inspections, etc. — afresh each time. In a sense, that revenue is on autopilot, coming in regardless of economic conditions, global pandemics or unexpected gaps between big-ticket capital projects. And the margins integrators earn on services-based RMR are almost always far greater than the margins earned from simply reselling and installing security equipment. Confronting Persistent Skepticism Nevertheless, there remains persistent skepticism from some corners of the integra...

RA’ANANA, Israel—D-Fend Solutions, a developer of field-proven radio frequency (RF) cyber-based, non-kinetic, non-jamming, counter-drone takeover technology, has received additional confirmation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for EnforceAir2, which is the company’s state-of-the-art counter-drone platform. According to the company, its counter-drone solutions is acclaimed for its ability to provide protection from unmanned aircraft systems, following completion of a series of evaluations related to airport operational continuity. “This assurance by the FAA is a significant milestone for EnforceAir2 toward fulfilling its vision of surgical detection and mitigation of drone threats within the National Airspace System,” says Zohar Halachmi, chairman and CEO of D-Fend Solutions . “Our mission to ensure control and continuity in airports has been advanced by this recognition, which is a testament to our ability to provide safe and effective counter-drone solutions.” Enforc...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Alarm industry pioneer Theodore “Ted” Simon died Tuesday, July 23, 2024, surrounded by family members, according to a statement released by his children this week. Before his death, Simon battled several illnesses, according to the family statement. He was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 28, 1936. He graduated from Printers Vocational High School in Brooklyn and joined the Navy in the 1950s, where he served as a plank owner on the USS DuPont. Related: SSI Industry Hall of Fame 2024: Jeffrey Zwirn, President, IDS Research and Development Simon began his engineering journey at the City College of New York, where he became the first person in his family to graduate from college. In the 1970s, with three young children, Simon started his own company, one that would eventually become known as Fire Burglary Instruments, Inc. He earned several patents for his ideas and products, which “were widely used in homes and companies,” according to th...

ANDOVER, Mass. – Minuteman Security & Life Safety , an integrator and service provider of commercial security surveillance, access control, fire systems and related life-safety technological offerings, has entered into a partnership with Access Security Corp., a security solutions integrator and service provider in the greater Philadelphia area, according to a joint announcement. Related: Minuteman Security & Life Safety Acquires Secuni to Enhance Northeast U.S. Reach This is the second acquisition Minuteman has announced this week, joining Edison, N.J.-based Secuni. Minuteman and ASC both provide security-focused technology solutions to customers in various commercial markets, including education, healthcare and critical infrastructure, the announcement says. ASC has been providing enterprise security technology solutions in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware for more than 25 years and has grown to include more than 20 team members based out of its Warmin...

MONTRÉAL — A federal judge has exonerated Genetec of patent infringement in a lawsuit filed in 202o in Delaware by Sensormatic and awarded the unified security, public safety, operations and business intelligence solutions provider with reimbursement of the bulk of its legal fees in the case. Sensormatic Electronics, LLC, a subsidiary of Tyco International, which is now merged with Johnson Controls, filed suit against Genetec in Delaware in June 2020, which alleged infringement of two patents: U.S. Patent No. 7,307,652 , entitled “Method and Apparatus for Object Tracking and Detection,” and U.S. Patent No. 9,463,954 , entitled “Access Control System for Override Elevator Control, and Method Therefor.” Related: SECURE Perspectives: Genetec’s Beth Phillips Reflects on Industry Trends, Diversity On Jan. 3, 2023, the court invalidated the ‘652 patent following Genetec’s motion for summary judgment. On Feb. 15, 2023, Sensormatic unilaterally dismissed the remaining infringement cl...

2024 is proving to be a year of exponential growth for IT providers, including security and AV integrators. But with this growth comes its own set of challenges and risks; as technology solutions expand at lightning speed , operational capabilities may struggle to keep up. Let’s dive into how these integrators can effectively process their growth from operational and technological perspectives, while also addressing hurdles, and ultimately setting themselves up for success beyond the growth spurt at hand. Growth for the Security Sector The security sector – both physical and cyber – is perhaps poised for the most tremendous growth. This expansion is fueled by an alarming increase in cyber attacks, with over 50 percent of these threats now AI-driven, according to recent insights from the Pax8 Conference. As AI entities grow exponentially, their capacity to launch sophisticated attacks escalates, necessitating a robust defense mechanism. Related: Security Industry Forecast: Expe...

HERZLIYA, Israel—Essence Security, a part of Essence Group, a technology group developing and supplying wireless, cloud-based security solutions for homes and businesses, has announced it is cooperating with the security services provider Securitas Direct Switzerland to launch Essence’s comprehensive MyShield cloud connected smoke-generating intruder prevention solution across Switzerland.    This product launch follows 10 years of collaboration between Essence Security and Securitas Direct, during which time the security services provider introduced myriad Essence technologies to the Swiss market. The nationwide debut is the direct result of a successful pilot implementation that demonstrated MyShield’s superior connectivity, coverage, and smoke deployment capabilities, achieving perfect performance metrics in every tested scenario. MyShield’s proven advanced capabilities bring to the Swiss market a new level of efficacy in deterring intruders while...

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Residential and small business security solutions provider ADT recently announced its senior vice president and chief information officer Sam Jaddi won the 2024 South Florida CIO ORBIE Award for Large Enterprise.  For more than 20 years, the ORBIE award has recognized “chief information officers who have showcased exceptional leadership in technology,” according to the ADT announcement. Why ADT’s Sam Jaddi Won the 2024 Orbie Award Don Young, ADT’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, endorsed Jaddi as a finalist for the large enterprise category. “Sam’s profound understanding of the security and smart home industry has been instrumental in guiding our business platforms and processes to enhance both customer and employee experiences,” says Young in the company announcement. “He has been a driving force behind our IT transformation, setting the strategy, vision, and direction to ensure ADT remains at the forefront of technological advanceme...

TEANECK, N.J.—The new T series wall-mount cameras from Hanwha Vision are designed to solve the obstructed-view challenges associated with dome surveillance devices in high overhead mounting positions. The new cameras are said to deliver an “eye-level,” nearly 180-degree panoramic field-of-view (FOV) while capturing 5MP resolution video for accurate people and object identification. The company explains the T series cameras (model TNV-C8011RW) can fit a range of commercial surveillance applications requiring wide fields of view of any property or establishment without blind spots.  Potential installations include gas stations, retail stores, drive-thru lanes, self-checkout kiosks, or other scenarios where users need to clearly see people and vehicles entering and exiting, detect theft and prevent loss, monitor customer activity to take immediate action, and to improve the guest experience. “Surveillance dome cameras are often mounted high, which creates sharp viewing angles t...

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The  Security Industry Association  ( SIA ) National Capital Region Security Forum (NCRSF) – a community of Washington, D.C.-area security professionals representing industry and government – has revealed the details for its 11th annual charity golf tournament. The event is scheduled to tee off Monday, Oct. 7, at the Mount Vernon Country Club in Alexandria, Virginia. Proceeds from the annual golf outing will support the work of the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Brain Injury Recovery. Each year, the  SIA NCRSF Charity Golf Tournament raises funds for the Kennedy Krieger Institute, an internationally recognized institution located in Baltimore that’s dedicated to improving the lives of children and young adults with pediatric developmental disabilities and disorders of the brain, spinal cord and musculoskeletal system. The annual tournament has raised over $500,000 in donations toward the center’s brain injury research, patient transi...

Earlier this year, I took over the customer success department at PSA and, since then, I have been working with our excellent team to bring our processes, policies and procedures up to date. While it’s no small undertaking, we’ve already made tremendous progress in making PSA easier to do business with. Amazon, Zappos and others have revolutionized customer service expectations for organizations. Related: Integrator Insights: Security Theater Versus Performing to the Appropriate Standard Customers desire speed in response, self-service capabilities, omnichannel options and almost-instantaneous resolution of issues. Although younger generations like to problem solve on their own, most also want a real human when issues arise. These days, organizations must be prepared for all scenarios. While many items on PSA’s future roadmap have a heavy cost associated with them, others are simpler fixes that we plan to implement. Here, I’ve outlined some of the items relevant to systems ...