

We help you digitalize and future-proof your buildings with a wide range of access solutions meeting your individual needs, supporting your move from the mechanical to the digital world. We are experts in access. With us, you digitalize with confidence.
Editor Chris Hewett editorial@mebmedia.co.uk
Accounts Jay Kempisty accounts@mebmedia.co.uk
Publisher Wayne Banks +44 (0)1622 201207 wayne.banks@mebmedia.co.uk
Website and Circulation Manager Kevin Villa website@mebmedia.co.uk
Design and Production Charles David production@mebmedia.co.uk
In Security Magazine is published 6 times a year by
MEB Media Publishing Ltd 13 Princes Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1UR United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1622 201207, info@mebmedia.co.uk www.mebmedia.co.uk
Articles and art may not be reproduced or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher.
Exclusion of Liability
Although every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of all materials published, the publisher takes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
Copyright © MEB Media Publishing Ltd 2010 - 2025, all rights reserved.
4 Inside story by In Security: Camera surveillance Trends, likely developments, upcoming projects, opinions, how the industry sees itself, legislation, and the influence of industry bodies are the basis for our survey
12 Product & Industry News
Latest developments from the security industry
26 International Security Expo preview Where global security community meets
30 Intelligence amplified
The human edge in AIpowered threat detection
34 Recurring revenue
The future of security alarm installation
38 Racing ahead
Oldest racecourse in the world adopts latest NFC ticketing technology
42 Securing the future
Digital solutions can futureproof access sector
Trends,
likely developments, upcoming projects,
opinions, how the industry sees itself, legislation, and the influence of industry bodies are the basis for our survey
Jeremy Malies, content editor at MEB Media, identifies three key factors that will likely shape the camera surveillance market in the next 12 months. His areas of focus are artificial intelligence
(predictable but inescapable as a topic and will naturally predominate), platform aggregation, and green credentials which now often form part of corporate citizenship.
The article also looks at three dynamic and significant vertical
sectors for camera manufacturers and installers. Jeremy identifies these as transport hubs (particularly airports), the built environment (including heritage architecture) and custodial premises.
In Security assesses offerings
from major players in the camera surveillance sector, and canvasses opinions from executives at these companies.
Artificial Intelligence
So how does artificial intelligence show itself in camera surveillance, how is it being harnessed and – the biggest question that analysts ask across technology sectors – what is artificial intelligence learning for itself and might it become truly conscious?
In terms of the big deployment of AI in camera surveillance, the answer to what the technology is learning is everything. And that is, of course, at the centre of how analytics algorithms work. The software learns to discount irrelevant movement in a scene and instead alerts on atypical activity which might be an intruder trying to breach a fence.
Any technology writer would be foolish to ignore artificial intelligence in a survey of this kind. Having worked at a science park in Cambridge in the late Nineties, I can remember that the software house that came up with the first algorithms to automate decisions on what constituted a threat described them as “intelligent scene analysis” which to me is a better phrase than “video analytics”.
Responsible camera developers
do not reach immediately for the phrase “artificial intelligence”. They are more circumspect. But manufacturers will use the phrase “deep learning” and this features in the literature of MOBOTIX who have been synonymous with high-end video systems since 1999.
Edge analytics and process optimization
MOBOTIX (part of the CERTINA Group) is synonymous with the decentralized edge approach to camera surveillance by which much functionality, including the ability to discriminate between (and alert on) different objects and behavioural patterns, sits in the camera itself rather than at the core.
The MOBOTIX analytics excels in security environments but has moved beyond these to analyze staff and visitor movement for general logistical purposes. Shop owners or exhibition organizers can run reports that tell them which part of a store or tradeshow floorspace is generating most interest, which part of an airport departure hall is preferred by travellers etc.
Capturing and evaluating staff and customer movement patterns (heatmaps are an effective tool) is not true artificial intelligence as a rigorous interpretation of the phrase would demand, but it shows
automated decisions being made or suggested as people and objects are tracked and footfall counted. Tracking area occupancy and movement styles also means that camera surveillance can improve employee safety.
Alerts on unexpected movement patterns within defined areas are now allowing MOBOTIX to offer fall detection by which artificial intelligence reports on what might be a trip by a senior, a post-operative convalescing patient, or anybody whose mobility and balance are impaired. Detecting and mitigating the effect of falls through alerts that bring prompt intervention shows MOBOTIX contributing to the healthcare sector.
Finding patterns
“Finding patterns” is a phrase in the literature of Hikvision on intelligence in cameras that struck a chord with me. Again, the Chinese manufacturer stresses the importance of “deep learning”, and they are not shy of using the term “artificial intelligence”. The cameras use machine learning to gather insight on what they see at a scene and then discount anything that the intelligence understands to be ambient behaviour in order to alert on truly atypical patterns of movement and object types that may constitute a threat.
The cameras will also find
relationships within data to give reports to managers in non-security logistical roles. Again, analysis is performed at the edge with objects being categorized and assessed. Queue management and perimeter protection are particular strengths of the edge algorithms.
Hikvision’s artificial intelligence has the versatility to work with and complement smoke detection systems. A recent alliance has seen Hikvision collaborate with Belgian company iThermAI. Together, the partners are generating alarms on live feeds from security cameras before there is any contact with heat or smoke. iThermAI algorithms have been embedded into Hikvision 4K and bi-spectrum cameras.
The partnership underlines what we often dismiss as a platitude from the organizers of trade fairs; the security and fire protection sectors are indeed becoming more and more aligned. It also shows how patterns within threat scenarios that usually require human intelligence (always liable to distraction or fatigue) can be automated with rapid response times that are beyond human capability.
Hanwha Vision
In far-reaching analysis of what AI may hold out for the security sector, Hanwha Vision has noted how video management systems (Cloud-based is the most effective platform) are bringing analytics beyond algorithms to interfaces where the user can ask questions of the video storage platform using intuitive natural language.
A security guard could simply ask the VMS to interrogate footage over the last 24 hours for even a commonplace scenario such as a visitor in black clothing interacting with a receptionist at a particular time. Of course this is not the same thing as consciousness, but AI cameras will soon have a rudimentary understanding of situations such that they can assess what general movement of people on site may mean and so generate real-time alerts.
Hanwha Vision are putting forward the idea (credibly) that analytics will soon move beyond the current scenarios of being able to detect running, loitering or climbing and be able to evaluate such movement as a series or development of events so showing the underlying cause and significance.
Andy Ryu, Chief Product Officer (Vice President) at Hanwha Vision, said, “This technology [integration of generative AI and re-identification of a single person or object] has far-reaching applications beyond criminal investigations and missing person searches. It can revolutionize traffic management and disaster response and even provide valuable insights into visitor behaviour for optimizing operational efficiency and gathering marketing intelligence.”
As with the collaboration described above between Hikvision and iThermAI, Hanwha Vision sees a new era of openness and joint initiatives between companies in an expanded AI ecosystem. A willingness to work together may become an almost Darwinian measure of adaptability.
The company even likens a pick-and-mix selective attitude in deploying AI solutions to the way we choose Apps for our smartphones. Recognition of the need to make a whole ecosystem of artificial intelligence Apps available to users has been shown in Hanwha Vision’s recent release of a four-channel AI PTRZ multi-directional camera.
City of Bonn case study
Hanwha Vision has a transport installation in western Germany. The project underlines much of the analysis above and shows the company’s products protecting residents and tourists across bus routes, train routes and a tram network for transport operator Stadtwerke Bonn Verkehrs-GmbH. A combination of more than six hundred 4K IR outdoor vandal dome and pan-tilt-zoom cameras has been installed by multi-technical services integration partner SPIE.
The locations include tunnels, parking facilities, entrances/ exits, walkways, escalators and lifts. Benefiting from AI alerts, the cameras report to a central control room so empowering staff to distinguish between nuisance alarms and genuine events/ emergencies. Hanwha Vision’s deep-learning algorithms are allowing the transport network staff to receive filtered information on object detection and classification including people, vehicles, facial images and number plates. Shadows and wildlife are discounted with high levels of accuracy. The embedded camera intelligence is also used for people-counting that can warn against and prevent bottlenecks (so stopping overcrowding risks) as well as creating alerts on trespass and genuine incidents of trip & fall.
So what is the artificial intelligence landscape in 2025?
More precise motion detection in the next year appears to be a given. This is all of a piece with agentic artificial intelligence, this being the class of AI whereby systems act autonomously and do not look for human supervision. Vendors boast of ability to process huge amounts of data (it might be a high-resolution video stream) with in situ adaptation to changes in the environment. The intelligence even approaches the level of strategic planning and dynamic problem-solving. Object recognition appears to be an obvious task to be treated in this manner. It will become more sophisticated, and algorithms will be quicker to alert operators to anomalies. The more that routine monitoring can be automated, the more focus can be given to high-
priority tasks by site managers. This frees up resources for strategic decision-making according to the PR blurb of many manufacturers. In other words, artificial intelligence is being used as an augmentation tool that does the by-rote work. Will this mean job losses? I can’t find redundancy announcements within our physical security sector, but earlier this year, CrowdStrike – a cyber security company based in Austin, Texas – laid off 500 people who represented five percent of the workforce. A spokesperson said that this was, “A market and technology inflection point, with AI reshaping every industry.”
Walking the floor of The Security Event in Birmingham recently and talking to In Security associates and partners, I learned that end-users are insistent now that they should receive information from the same platform however disparate the information might be in nature.
An aggregated platform and unified management framework are their best opportunity to blend fragmented data and find patterns in it which mean that they make the best possible decisions. Cameras cannot be standalone, access control readers cannot be isolated, and intrusion detection alarms cannot be piecemeal. Solutions need to be endto-end in order to optimize situational awareness. Vendors, consultants and end-users now liken the platforms to a single pane of glass or an overall intelligent ecosystem.
Camera surveillance now needs to be seen as a proactive, intelligencedriven resource rather than reactive protection measure. The huge range of city-wide sensor devices that form the Internet of Things (this belongs to another article) means that CCTV can be the backbone security asset for an entire city.
A new generation of city planners no longer recognise a traditional model where security installers simply devise and implement systems. Young well-educated civil servants (the type who are not likely to become redundant through artificial intelligence) have grown up with Security-as-a-Service. They look for continuous monitoring with software patches and are
comfortable with subscription-based models. They expect physical security to be accessible and scalable, and capable of making a case for itself through cost-effectiveness and long-term cost of ownership arguments. The vendors who prosper will be the ones who can share or at least empathize with this mindset.
To say that physical and cyber security are converging now would be a naïve truism. It is more relevant to say that the two types of security as well as operational technology are part of a unified ecosystem.
This kind of collaborative approach has been illustrated, embodied even, by the Swedish manufacturer Axis Communications with its Axis Cloud Connect. The company’s developers are advancing Cloud-connected solutions with data aggregation of all kinds and transformation of VMS integration.
Scalability, flexibility, innovative video analytics scenarios and robust cybersecurity are all part of the initiative that is seeing collaboration with partners including Eagle Eye Networks, SecuriThings and Wesco. Axis Cloud Connect is giving integrators a new perspective on device lifecycle management and preventative maintenance.
In April 2024 during ISC West, Fredrik Nilsson, VP, Americas, Axis Communications, said, “Over the past year Axis Cloud Connect has helped transform the way security, business intelligence and operational solutions are deployed, utilized, and managed. The open platform’s flexibility, scalability, and advanced cybersecurity features have enabled our partners to innovate and deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the dynamic needs of the market. The progress made by our partners is a testament to the power of openness and collaboration, and the immense potential of Axis Cloud Connect to shape the future of security and IoT.”
Corporate citizenship and green credentials
If there has been a quantum leap in terms of environmental practice across the security industry it is that companies no longer have to be environmentally aware simply in
order to be good corporate citizens or to meet tender requirements from clients who are looking at their own environmental record. Ethical behaviour in terms of carbon footprint often makes good business sense as well.
Minimizing electrical consumption, reusing packaging, and opting for sea rather than air freight can all improve the bottom line. And the perspective has widened beyond obvious factors such as optimum amounts of recycling and avoiding landfill to issues such as reducing water usage and having meaningful numbers of solar panels at manufacturing plants.
Manufacturers who walk the walk
Of the major players surveyed and assessed for this article, Hangzhoubased Chinese manufacturer Dahua Technology can be adjudged to be not only walking the walk in terms of minimizing their environmental impact but also introducing technology that fosters vulnerable wildlife. Dahua held meetings earlier this year with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to explore
collaboration.
Dahua has implemented its Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) in Antarctica and across a rain forest in Hainan which is an island province in the extreme south of China. The province features a wildlife park that is a habitat for giant pandas. Dahua solutions have allowed remote monitoring of pandas and gibbons.
Bob Chen, Senior Vice President of Dahua Technology and President of Global Business, said, “Dahua is committed to working with organisations like WWF, combining our strengths in technology to contribute to ecological conservation and promotion of sustainable practices.”
Dahua’s conservation activity is broad; the company combats illegal logging and uses thermal video monitoring to detect illegal fishing. It even incentivises installers to support conservation projects including preservation of wetland ecosystems.
At the fossil fuel level, the Dahua Smart (IoT) Industrial Park on the Qiantang River is using a smart electricity system that saves up to
1,389,800 kWh of electricity a year. Photovoltaic power stations are being used in order to generate clean energy and so reduce carbon emissions.
Another company whose green credentials are impeccable (to the point of being carbon-neutral) is Brighton-based manufacturer and developer Paxton Access. I know since I’ve visited their headquarters in order to attend two press days. So, what place do Paxton whose focus is of course access control have in this article?
The company’s heritage architecture case studies include Royal Connaught Park in Hertfordshire which, among many claims to fame, has been a shoot location for the iconic and still re-run constantly today series from the Sixties, The Avengers. It starred Patrick Macnee, Honor Blackman, and Diana Rigg and has a cult following among people of all ages.
While not a major part of the installation (the focus of the project is access control) Paxton10
cameras were installed at the site by Harlow-based integrator Gamma Systems. The camera series includes bullet and dome models, and they are known for requiring zero configuration. Royal Connaught Park was once an Edwardian school that has become a gated residential development of luxury apartments in recent years. Being of a certain age, I gravitated to The Avengers, but it should also be noted that the site has been the real-life shooting location of Hogwarts Great Hall for three Harry Potter films.
With our own industry making real strides in its carbon footprint, what progress is being made in the aviation industry? I ask because while reporting from Intersec in Dubai earlier this year, I could not help but glean information about the extraordinary scale of airport projects in Saudi Arabia – not one of the Emirates of course but subject to the same region-wide macroeconomic forces.
The latest buzzword in aviation is “coopetition”, this being collaboration between rivals for a greater good. The collective goal in this case is greener aircraft both in terms of emissions and consumption of the planet’s finite resources during construction. I’m thinking specifically of CleanAviation, an eleven-strong initiative between manufacturers including Airbus and the European Commission.
King Salman International Airport in Riyadh will be created around the existing King Khalid International Airport and will be the work of architects Foster + Partners (synonymous with Norman Foster) who are based in Battersea, London. There will be no fewer than six passenger terminals and six runways across an area of 22 square miles and with an envisaged annual passenger footfall of 100 million by 2030. Prominent consultants, integrators and manufacturers will no doubt secure the site as the airport takes shape.
KEENFINITY Group airport case study
Meanwhile, at 16 million passengers a year, Changchun Longjia
International Airport in north-eastern China is a significant case study for KEENFINITY Group. The end-user required 24/7 recording from over 1,000 surveillance cameras and archiving of that footage for 90 days. The environmental conditions (notably temperature fluctuations and the inevitable presence of fumes and contaminant particles on the tarmac) were a challenge as was the client’s insistence on extreme energy efficiency.
The airport is using 1,500 units of Dinion, Autodome and Flexidome cameras from KEENFINITY and central camera management via BVMS. A small data footprint is being maintained with H.265 compression. An obvious cost-saving is a reduction in the number of storage units that results from the compression technology with positive knock-ons in terms of energy consumption and costs of cooling server rooms. All these benefits are being achieved without any compromise on image quality. Edge algorithms in the cameras are supporting airport security staff with automated alerts.
Heritage built environment
How does the need to keep tourists at heritage landmarks safe using video surveillance coexist with natural scepticism from architecture purists who do not wish to see the outline of period buildings spoilt by bulky surveillance cameras? There have been a few ill-considered CCTV assemblies at famous locations for sure, but the increasingly sleek outlines and compact dimensions of modern cameras are improving things.
Cathedral security
A project where this balance has been achieved comes from the portfolio of IDIS who are a global designer, developer and manufacturer of surveillance products. The company’s case studies stretch the idea of heritage right back to the eleventh century and include an installation at Canterbury Cathedral.
Video surveillance in places of worship can be vital to the safety of all parties, but few sites require more tact and discretion in terms of camera deployment and privacy zones. Using IDIS products,
integrators Hall & Kay Engineering balanced a need to secure the site with respect for its sacred nature.
The installation involved IDIS high-definition cameras, recorders, VMS and peripherals. Areas covered included entrance to a welcome centre, retail areas and exhibitions spaces. The IDIS full HD IR dome cameras are vandal-resistant models with true wide dynamic range (WDR) and day and night functionality based on infrared cut filter removal that allows switching between colour and black & white modes.
The constables at the cathedral (a historic term for wardens using a mix of traditional and modern security practice) analyze display from 16-channel NVRs provided by IDIS. There is optimum connectivity of the cameras and mutual two-factor authentication as a cyber security measure. There are also role-specific permissions and user rights for the constables according to seniority within the license-free IDIS Center video management system.
A different kind of tattoo Like Canterbury Cathedral, the present structure of Edinburgh Castle also dates from the eleventh century. It is part of the security remit of the City of Edinburgh Council which stretches from the city’s half a million citizens to the influx of four million tourists every August for cultural events including the Edinburgh Tattoo held on the esplanade of the castle.
Genetec have an Edinburgh case study as part of the Digital and Smart City strategy of the City of Edinburgh Council. The Council’s innovative strategy for security technology prompted it to approach Genetec to improve public services in terms of safeguarding all who work, live or simply spend time in the city. Liaising with channel partner, North, the Council began to create an intelligent centralized security platform.
This has been in part based on the Genetec Security Center which is an open unified physical platform that allows everything from video surveillance, analytics and IoT sensors to be managed from a single interface. Security Center incorporates automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) and analytics algorithms on many scenarios and
combinations of scenarios.
One of the benefits of the Genetec deployment in Edinburgh has been higher quality camera footage which has helped get offenders successfully identified, charged and convicted. Improved footage submitted as evidence has seen an increase in early guilty pleas.
Prisons and other custodial sites
You have to look to the US for notable case studies of video surveillance in prisons. In the UK, use of CCTV tends to be in police custody suites, remand centres and secure mental hospitals. There are privacy issues over in-cell usage of video recording, but no such issues if CCTV is deployed to complement perimeter protection, with thermal cameras being an obvious choice at night. Conscientious system designers make sure that video at prison perimeters can alarm on would-be outside escape assisters entering a sterile zone.
Use of video surveillance with an analytics algorithm to alert on the presence of a drone over the prison grounds (there are frequent attempts to smuggle contraband) would seem an intelligent application in every sense.
Inmates and guards are now aware that (unless a privacy zone is deliberately created) there are few blind spots in video surveillance of
a prison. This is valuable in terms of ensuring appropriate behaviour by guards towards prisoners as well as mitigating escape potential and the risk of prisoner violence towards guards or fellow inmates. Unless there is an acute risk of self-harm, prison authorities worldwide show reticence about using video surveillance in cells.
There is a consensus among consultants and prison boards internationally that video surveillance is at its best in creating an alarm on non-violent planned misconduct such as escape rather than inmate-on-guard violence or exercise yard fights. The one environment in which (possibly intrusive) video surveillance is tolerated in order to factor out the risk of suicide appears to be young offender units.
It is a simple matter for analytics to alert staff if an inmate is possibly in distress, with this manifesting as being in a prone position in an unexpected part of the cell. Truly effective use of automated alarms on prisoner behaviour via analytics can help protect prisoner rights by freeing up staff to focus on inmate welfare.
Conclusion
It might be a naïve stance, but my survey here suggests that the timesaving from intelligent analytics and
the automation of tasks performed by human operatives is not about to result in large scale redundancies among blue collar staff. Our sector is not the same as cyber security and the company in Texas mentioned earlier. It is more likely that timesaving will result in improvements in visitor experiences and safety levels.
Fewer security guards looking at possible breaches of a perimeter (the kind of scenario that can be automated) means more security guards using their human intelligence to interact with visitors and perhaps frustrate theft, vandalism or even hostile reconnaissance or simply help people who through age, infirmity or technophobia are confused by major retail sites, transport hubs and any campus-style environment.
However tempting it might have been to give artificial intelligence a try-out when writing an article along these lines, this piece truly is one correspondent’s attempt to make sense of current developments in video surveillance!
If MEB Media knows anything about articles written by AI, it is that they are always balanced (excessively) to the detriment of any true opinion being expressed with vigour. So, if the opinions here are thought to be in anyway overvigorous or ill-considered, our letters column is always available to you!
IDIS is transforming video surveillance with an advanced choice of edge cameras, AI box devices, servers, and software ― innovations that make it easy to supercharge your operations without the burden of ongoing maintenance agreements or device connection costs.
Regardless of the size or type of your business, regardless of your operational priorities, IDIS makes it affordable to harness the power of AI video with solutions that give you optimized security and safety plus actionable business intelligence ― all with industry-beating accuracy.
And our expanding AI video range upholds the IDIS promise of plug-and-play installation, robust performance, and a low total cost of ownership.
Mayflex, a leading distributor of infrastructure, networking, and IP security solutions, is proud to reaffirm its commitment to delivering exceptional customer service that consistently outperforms the competition.
At the heart of Mayflex’s brand is a simple but powerful promise: Driven to deliver more. This ethos fuels every interaction, every solution, and every innovation. From bespoke infrastructure packages to expert guidance and support, Mayflex goes beyond expectations to ensure customers receive not just what they ask for - but what they truly need.
“Our customers know that when they come to Mayflex, they’re getting more than just products,” said Andrew Percival, Managing Director of Mayflex. “They’re getting a team that treats their business like our own. We listen, we challenge, and we deliver solutions that make a real difference.”
Mayflex’s customer-first approach is built on radical honesty, entrepreneurial thinking, and a relentless drive
to improve. Whether it’s through the Mayflex Academy, sustainability initiatives like plastic-free packaging, or fast, expert support, the company is constantly evolving to meet the needs of its clients.
“We’re obsessed with out-thinking the competition,” added Andrew Percival. “That means staying ahead of the curve, sharing knowledge, and always being ready to go the extra mile. Our success is measured by the success of our customers.”
With a reputation for reliability, innovation, and integrity, Mayflex continues to lead the way in infrastructure, networking, and security - proving that great customer service isn’t just a promise, it’s a practice.
Today sees the launch of the new Mayflex website www.mayflex.com that has been designed with our customers in mind, to make it easy for them to find the information they need and encompasses the Driven to Deliver More messaging.
Paxton has announced a significant reduction in its carbon footprint, cutting emissions by 961 tonnes of CO₂e in its 2023 second reporting year. This 37.8% reduction marks a major milestone in the company’s sustainability journey, while maintaining carbon neutral certification across the UK, France, Germany, and South Africa for the year 2023.
This milestone reflects the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility, as part of its long-term ambition to achieve net zero ahead of 2050 targets.
Katie Millis-Ward, Paxton’s Divisional Director of Communications and the company’s Green Team lead, said: “We’re proud of how far we’ve come, but this is just the beginning of a bigger journey. Our teams across the business are making smart, lasting changes to reduce our carbon emissions year on year.”
The emissions reduction is equivalent to the annual electricity use of 650,000 homes, or the carbon stored by 50,000 trees growing for a year.
Delivering change
Over the past few years, Paxton has implemented several measures to continually reduce its environmental impact:
• Transitioned global shipping away from air freight to lower-emission sea freight
• Achieved 98% electric or hybrid status across its company vehicle fleet
• Powered all UK facilities with 100% renewable energy tariffs
• Installed solar panels at its newest UK facility, the Paxton Electronics Center, with plans to extend across the company’s expanding technology campus
in Brighton.
• Optimised manufacturing efficiency and reduced plastic component shipping by producing parts in-house
Supporting climate projects
To maintain carbon neutrality as the company continues reducing emissions, Paxton has invested in a refreshed portfolio of third-party verified offsetting projects:
• Soke Wind Power Plant Project in Türkiye (VCS Certified) – Replacing fossil fuel use with clean wind energy
• Safe Water Project in Zambia (Gold Standard) – Providing access to clean water and reducing wood-burning
• Improved Cooking Services in Nigeria (Gold Standard) – Distributing cleaner cookstoves to lower emissions and improve health
• These follow previous support for solar and wind energy initiatives in India and Thailand, and a safe water project in Western Zambia.
Long-term commitment
Paxton’s sustainability efforts are shaped by both internal ambition and external feedback. Surveys show that environmental responsibility is increasingly important to Paxton’s installers, customers, and employees.
The company has committed to ongoing measurement, footprint reduction, and transparent reporting as it continues its journey to net zero.
For more information and access to Paxton’s Carbon Neutral Certificate, visit their website
The training programme of SICUREZZA 2025 will span three themed days — Cyber Day, Security Day, and Job in Security — offering a comprehensive journey through European regulations, tailored solutions, and opportunities for training and employment.
From 19 to 21 November 2025 at Fiera Milano, SICUREZZA, one the leading international trade show in Europe for the security and fire safety sectors, will unveil a new content structure, organised into three vertical, theme-focused days: Cyber Day, Security Day, and Job in Security. This strategic approach is designed to offer professionals in the field customised insights aligned with the sector’s regulatory, operational, and career-related challenges.
Sessions will primarily take place in the Cyber & Security Arena, the exhibition’s core venue for education and industry updates. Complementing this will be the Security Talks, a secondary forum hosted by major Italian security associations — AISS, AIPS, ANIE SICUREZZA, and CONFEDERSICUREZZA — which will provide critical insights into regulatory developments and focus areas such as security, surveillance, and fire prevention.
Through conferences, workshops, and short talks involving experts, stakeholders, trade associations, and institutions, SICUREZZA 2025 aims to be a platform for knowledge-sharing and strategic development, addressing key challenges: from the impact of new EU directives (NIS2, CER, CRA), to the evolution of solutions for complex environments, to the training of the next generation of security professionals.
The programme kicks off on 19 November with Cyber Day, a full day dedicated to digital security — at a time when the boundary between physical and digital security is increasingly blurred, and cyber threats are
growing in both scale and complexity.
A key message will be the recognition of cybersecurity as a strategic asset, to be embedded across all organisational layers rather than treated as a purely technical element. Advanced approaches such as the Zero Trust model will be in the spotlight, along with the need to secure the entire supply chain — through strong governance and effective collaboration between companies and suppliers.
Security
20 November will be dedicated to Security Day, shifting the focus to applied solutions in high-risk or operationally complex settings. From banking to retail, transport infrastructure to major international events — such as the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games — and the protection of cultural heritage, the programme will explore tools and methodologies to ensure physical security in high-exposure environments.
Topics will include the integration of smart technologies, advanced access control, intelligent video surveillance, and risk management — and how this synergy is key to operational continuity and user trust. New professional roles emerging in the market will also be discussed, such as Travel Security Managers and Cultural Security Managers, who combine technical, organisational, and regulatory expertise in their respective fields.The takeaway is clear: security today is no longer one-size-fits-all. It must be tailored to the specific context and objectives it aims to serve.
This final day is a real opportunity to explore emerging professions in the security space and build a path in a dynamic industry that blends innovation, responsibility, and long-term prospects.
Focus on minimal waste and costs shows how sustainability and security can go hand in hand
An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives.
The development, located just a short walk from St Paul’s in the heart of the Square Mile, is powered by 100% green energy and features planted terraces that provide significant urban greening and biodiversity benefits. Thanks to an ambitious reuse and retention strategy, the development is carbon-neutral in both construction and operation.
Supporting this strategy, IDIS integration partner Phoenix Trescray was awarded the contract to deliver a 24/7 HD surveillance solution covering the building exterior, including a Grade 2 heritage sculpture, entrances, bike storage, and priority internal areas, such as the reception, lifts, corridors, and service areas. In line with the developer’s minimal-waste objectives, the IDIS video solution was chosen for its cost-efficiency in installation and operation, long lifespan, and flexibility for future adaptation.
IDIS 5MP vandal-resistant IR dome cameras with PoE were installed throughout the interior to minimize cabling requirements, featuring 2.8 mm wide-angle
lenses that provide the best field of view. A combination of 5MP IR dome cameras and 5MP IR bullet cameras with two-way audio, built-in heaters, covers the building exterior and entrances. The video solution, using the cost and license-free IDIS Center VMS software, is controlled by security staff from PC workstations and monitored at reception using a 2x2 video display via an HDMI matrix splitter.
Jamie Barnfield, Senior Sales Director, IDIS Europe, says plans to extend the system include developing a dedicated security control room, introducing AIpowered video analytics in targeted locations to provide automated detection and alerts, and installing additional cameras.
“The IDIS solution was fast and easy to install, with plug-and-play setup of cameras, recorders, and VMS software all contributing to project delivery on time and within budget,” he says. “And crucially, we are supporting the customer’s sustainability objectives long term, with extended system life cycles, reduced waste, and easy options to expand and adapt whenever required.”
Read the full case study by clicking here, and for more information on IDIS solutions, visit www.idisglobal.com.
Climate and weather can have a damaging impact on digital devices, especially in locations where extremes in summer and/or winter are common. This may be an obstacle to implementing digital technologies or digitalizing outdoor workflows. For controlling access, it can prevent organizations from realizing the benefits of digital access at remote and/or outdoor sites. Intelligent digital locking which meets the highest standards of durability and reliability is required.
OXG Glasfaser GmbH is a joint venture founded in 2023 by Vodafone and Altice. Their goal is to make a significant contribution to the expansion of infrastructure throughout Germany. OXG builds and operates a high-speed fibre optic network designed to meet the digital needs of individuals and companies. In the next few years, they aim to connect 7 million households with fibre optic. An investment of up to €7 billion is being made for broadband solutions and innovative FTTH (Fibre to the Home) expansion.
They sought a modern access solution suited to securing the stations required for the expansion of their network: a locking system able to provide flexible security for their fibre optic stations. Of course, these stations are outdoors, often in public spaces, and exposed around the clock to wind and weather. Reliable security and outdoor operation are a must. They are also dispersed nationwide, which means frequent maintenance visits would represent a drain on time and money. OXG sought devices which were easy to install and would require as little maintenance as possible over their working lifetime.
Durable digital access in a challenging physical environment
With the programmable key-based eCLIQ solution, part of a suite of Digital Access Solutions from ASSA ABLOY, OXG chose digital access which is reliable, robust and suitable for environments with demanding climate conditions. An eCLIQ system can be expanded, combined and retrofitted according to their evolving needs. “In addition to the flexibility, the resistance and durability of eCLIQ are particularly advantageous. That convinced us,” explains Markus Walther, Senior Manager Deployment Aggregation Network at OXG Glasfaser.
With around 2,500 wireless cylinders, OXG’s eCLIQ solution provides an efficient, effective way to fit digital access. Installers simply slot in one of more than 60 different eCLIQ cylinder types instead of a mechanical cylinder. These innovative cylinders operate maintenance-free for up to 200,000 cycles.
For system administrators, eCLIQ is easy to operate and program. They benefit from the convenience of digital management. For instance, they do not need to activate every locking cylinder individually. Lock power supply and communication with the cylinder are conducted via battery-powered user and programming keys only.
Award-winning CLIQ® technology upgrades security by making it simpler to issue individual access authorizations. If a key is lost, its access permissions are simply deleted from the system with a few clicks in the intuitive software.
Gunnebo Entrance Control has acquired Special Montering, a Denmark-based specialist in access control installation and maintenance, expanding its footprint in Northern Europe and boosting local service capabilities.
Founded in 2009 in Aarhus with a new branch in Copenhagen, Special Montering is known for delivering locks, door automation, and access management solutions across sectors including commercial offices, public buildings, industrial sites, and infrastructure projects.
Gunnebo Entrance Control, a global provider of speed gates, turnstiles, and perimeter control systems, says the acquisition supports its strategy of strengthening regional operations and enhancing local customer service.
Special Montering’s owner, Thomas Withen, said: “This is a positive development for both our team and our customers. We have always focused on quality installation and reliable support, and becoming part of Gunnebo Entrance Control allows us to build on that foundation. It also gives us access to a wider network of knowledge and technology, supporting entrance control projects in Denmark.”
Gunnebo has pledged business continuity for Special Montering customers and a smooth integration of operations. The combined expertise will support ongoing projects and meet growing demand for advanced entrance security in Denmark, offering more responsive
service and tailored technical support.
Blanca Sebastia, EVP Commercial Excellence & GM Europe at Gunnebo Entrance Control, added: “Special Montering has built a reputation for technical excellence and trusted service in Aarhus and now Copenhagen. By joining forces, we’re combining this strong local foundation with Gunnebo’s global portfolio and innovation in entrance control. This strengthens our ability to deliver tailored solutions closer to our customers and reflects our commitment to strategic growth in Northern Europe.”
Special Montering will continue operating from its Aarhus and Copenhagen bases, maintaining customer relationships while benefiting from Gunnebo’s wider resources and product range.
Howard Lang, President of Gunnebo Entrance Control, added:
“Denmark is an important market for us, with growing demand for entrance control driven by security needs and operational efficiency. Special Montering brings in-depth local knowledge, a skilled team, and a long-standing presence. By bringing them into Gunnebo Entrance Control, we enhance our ability to serve customers with global product excellence and local expertise.”
Gunnebo remains committed to long-term growth in Denmark, continuing to invest in regional capacity and customer support.
Following the global impact of its 2025 Security Industry Trends Report, Gallagher Security is once again calling on security professionals and industry stakeholders to add their voice to a new year of research.
The 2026 Security Industry Trends Survey is now open and is designed to uncover the shifts, challenges, and strategic priorities shaping the next era of security. From integrators and consultants to IT professionals and end users, the survey is a unique opportunity to contribute insights and shape the future direction of the industry.
Building on last year’s insights Gallagher’s 2025 report helped organizations around the world better understand the changes sweeping across the security landscape. From a deep dive into mobile credentials to revealing just how heavily trust and relationships influence end user decisions, the report served as a valuable planning tool for teams navigating digital transformation, budget pressures, and new technologies.
“This survey and report are grounded in our belief that sharing knowledge freely makes the entire industry stronger,” says Mark Junge, Chief Executive at Gallagher Security. “Over the past year, I’ve heard directly from a number of security professionals about how useful the 2025 report was in shaping their strategy and contextualizing change. That’s why we’re committed to making the 2026 report even more valuable and something the entire global security community can benefit from.”
This year’s survey explores the shifting priorities, pressures, and possibilities facing security professionals. Key areas of focus include:
• The leading security goals end users are prioritizingand the most common barriers holding them back
• The practical challenges facing installations, system upgrades, and broader digital transformation efforts
• The evolving expectations around AI in security and where the hype is - or isn’t - aligning with real-world planning
• Whether and how organizations are preparing for quantum threats
• How security teams are redefining their value: from a traditional cost center to a strategic business enabler
• A tool for the entire industry
The 2026 Security Industry Trends Report, built on this survey’s findings, will be a freely available resource to help the industry think more clearly and act more confidently. By participating, professionals at every level can help shine a light on what’s working, what’s changing, and what still needs to be solved.
Now is the time to weigh in and help shape the conversations that will define the next 12 months.
Take part in the survey here
3xLOGIC, the leading provider of integrated and intelligent security solutions, has unveiled the InterACT Camera Series, a powerful new video surveillance solution. Combining high-definition imaging, edge-based deep learning analytics and integrated deterrence features, InterACT proactively prevents crime - before it takes place.
Designed for businesses of all sizes in sectors such as retail, education, hospitality and construction, InterACT cameras detect and respond to threats in real time, helping organizations deter loitering, reduce perimeter breaches and improve response times, all remotely managed through 3xLOGIC’s VIGIL 13 platform.
Exceptional edge-based analytics
Edge-based deep learning analytics detect and classify objects with exceptional accuracy, minimizing false alarms caused by moving foliage, shadows, or small animals. Analytics can be configured on-demand and remotely via VIGIL Server Management Utility (VSMU), saving installer time on-site and ensuring the system adapts as the environment changes.
Audio-visual deterrents
Using VIGIL Client dwell zones, if an object is then detected within a set zone for a defined period of time the camera will automatically play an audio message, for example, “You are trespassing, leave immediately”, flash white or red and blue lights, allow live operator talk-down, or sound a loud siren. This deters theft, loitering and anti-social behavior, protecting entrances,
car parks, assets, staff and customers. The detection zones and alert rules can be customized to different site needs - to address requirements at a particular time of day, for example - and can be managed remotely.
Clear images in challenging lighting conditions
InterACT cameras deliver clear, high-definition video, capturing true-color footage even in challenging lighting conditions such as shadows, backlight, or nighttime environments. This ensures that critical visual details, such as vehicle or person identifiers, are accurately captured to enhance situational awareness and ground team responses while providing evidence for post-event investigations. The cameras are ONVIF-compliant, enabling unified incident detection and responses across multiple sites or when collaborating with third parties such as law enforcement.
Mike Poe, Director of Product Management at 3xLOGIC said, “We’re delighted to bring the InterACT camera series to the market as a game-changer for proactive crime prevention and team effectiveness. With InterACT, Security teams have the tools they need to act with confidence and insight, in real-time, stopping incidents before they escalate and gathering data for investigations and long-term decision making. For installers, the ability to configure and manage analytics remotely means faster deployment, reduced site visits and added value for customers through intelligent, edge-driven detection.”
Learn more about the InterACT camera series here
Traka, an ASSA ABLOY company and global leader in intelligent key and equipment management solutions, is excited to announce its 30 years of innovation in intelligent key and asset management.
What began as a custom solution for British Airways has grown into a global leader in intelligent key and asset management. Traka, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, is marking three decades of innovation, expansion, and impact across more than 30 industries worldwide.
In 1995, Traka’s founder, John Kent, responded to a unique challenge: British Airways needed a secure and trackable way to manage critical keys, something the market didn’t yet offer. Kent built the first Traka key cabinet, setting the foundation for what would become a new category in access management.
That first electronic key cabinet was just the beginning. Over the past three decades, Traka has transformed from a hardware manufacturer into a comprehensive technology provider. Its range of intelligent lockers and electronic key cabinets has expanded to include solutions for weapon & evidence storage, fleet vehicles, manufacturing tools, retail assets, government and sensitive equipment and spaces, each designed to meet the specific needs of high-security and compliancedriven environments.
The introduction of TrakaWEB, a powerful centralized platform, redefined how organizations monitor and control access. With real-time visibility and automated audit trails, Traka’s systems have helped clients move from reactive to proactive asset management, boosting accountability and operational efficiency.
Having been acquired by the ASSA ABLOY Group in 2012, Traka has further accelerated its global reach and technical innovation, integrating with leading access control, and compliance platforms.
Today, Traka’s intelligent systems are trusted across every sector, from critical infrastructure and healthcare to education, transportation, law enforcement and
government, data centers, and beyond. Operating in over 70 countries and supporting users in multiple languages, Traka is backed by teams that are local when needed and global when it counts.
“Traka’s success has always been rooted in listening to the real-world challenges our customers face,” said Mike Rimmington, Senior Vice President & Head of Key and Asset Management for ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions. “This milestone is not just a celebration of our past, but a commitment to keep innovating for the future.”
With its eyes on what’s next, Traka continues to scale intelligently, helping organizations protect what matters most with smarter, more secure solutions.
About Traka
Traka is part of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, which provides safe and sustainable cutting-edge technology solutions for physical and digital access management control. As a total solutions provider, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions is part of the wider ASSA ABLOY Group. Being a global leader in access solutions, the Group operates worldwide with 61,000 employees and holds leading positions in areas such as efficient door opening, trusted identities, and entrance automation.
Traka is the global leader in intelligent management solutions for keys and equipment. Their solutions help organizations better control their important assets, improve productivity and accountability, and reduce risk in critical processes.
Traka continuously invests in the development of technology to provide leading, innovative, secure, and effective real-world solutions to the challenges that organizations face in managing keys and equipment. Their solutions are tailored to customer needs and requirements, providing the most value and impact on their business.
For more information about Traka and our innovative solutions, please visit our website at www.traka.com.
Delta Scientific Corporation, the global leader in highimpact vehicle barricade systems, is proud to announce the launch of its newest innovation: the DSC50 “S” Barrier, a lightweight, crash-rated security solution tailored for temporary deployment across high-traffic urban environments.
Motivated by recent public safety challenges and a mounting global awareness of vehicular threats, Delta’s engineering team designed the DSC50 “S” Barrier to provide rapid, visually cohesive, and budget-sensitive protection for municipalities, venue operators, and security leaders.
“The DSC50 ‘S’ Barrier was born out of urgency and built for agility,” said Keith Bobrosky, President of Delta Scientific. “We challenged our engineers to rethink how protection can be delivered, not just permanently but responsively. The result is a crash-rated barrier that deploys in minutes, integrates into diverse environments, and remains accessible to communities at every level. At Delta, proactive safety isn’t just our mission, it’s our edge.”
With a sleek profile and modular design, the DSC50 “S” seamlessly aligns with the aesthetic character of its surroundings, making it an ideal solution for:
• Events, parades, and civic celebrations
• Tourist corridors and pop-up activations
• Protest areas and emergency crowd control
• Short-term construction or traffic redirection zones
Requiring no permanent infrastructure, the barrier delivers exclusive, secure access and pedestrian protection without compromising visibility or ease of use. Delta’s patented anti-ram technology, used in critical infrastructure across the globe, is now available in a portable format.
The DSC50 “S” Barrier is currently available for deployment in select cities, with a national rollout scheduled over the coming months.
For interviews, product demonstrations, or technical specs, contact: www.deltascientific.com
Offer your customers more flexibility from Paxton’s video door entry with a brand-new mobile app.
Total convenience Grant access from your phone
Earn recurring revenue Low-cost monthly user license
More opportunities
Ideal for new & existing installs
This year’s International Security Expo will take place at Olympia, London on 30
September 2025 & 1 October 2025
Thousands of security professionals from across the globe will be in attendance as it offers a superb opportunity to see the latest products coming to market, hear from leading industry experts and Government officials, as well as catch exciting live demonstrations and take advantage of the many networking opportunities.
Showcasing global security innovation
This year’s International Security Expo will see over 300 global brands across the exhibition floor, ranging from some of the biggest names in
the industry to small up-and-coming innovators. They will all have one thing in common – they are looking to showcase their latest solutions and technologies that will keep the public, critical national infrastructure, businesses and countries safe.
These cutting-edge solutions will represent all sectors of the industry, from screening & scanning and perimeter security, to access control, body-worn video, intelligence and drone & counter-drone, and much more besides.
Some of the biggest names in the industry make up the Premier Partners for the event, who will have a large presence on the exhibition
floor showing off their products and solutions, including Mitie Security, Rohde & Schwarz, Gallagher Security, ATG Access, Assa Abloy, Rapiscan, Apstec Systems, Hirsch, Astrophysics, Parking Facilities, Audax, Pitagone, Inner Range, Axon, Crowdguard, Highway Care, Inner Range and CLD Physical Security Systems.
Joining the list of Premier Partners and exhibiting for the first time are Selfcair UK, an innovative company specialised in modular airport baggage handling, and Multicontrol from Poland, who are excited to showcase their unique technologies and how they actively
support global security.
To further highlight innovation, the Innovation Awards & Trail returns, showcasing the groundbreaking work the industry is doing. With a judging panel comprised of Advisory Council members, the Trail will offers a guide to all exhibitors who are shortlisted for the award, with the overall winner announced at the event.
With a reputation for offering the kind of talks that can’t be found at any other event, the agendas on the Global Counter Terror & Security Summit (sponsored by ATG Access), and on the International Security & Resilience Conference (sponsored by ATG Access, Blacksmiths Group & Smiths Detection, and in partnership with Resilience First), are unmissable.
Representatives from UK Government will use the event as an opportunity to provide updates on policy and the current state of homeland and international security, with many heads of government agencies and organisations talking.
With Martyn’s Law having achieved Royal Assent earlier this year, this is the ideal time to hear about the new legislation from those who wrote it and those who will be implementing and licensing it.
The Realities of Terror thread returns, and this year it includes a panel comprised of representatives
from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and terror museums in France and Norway. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum will also be giving separate talks, including Museum Director Clifford Chanin speaking about Lessons from 9/11: Leading Through a Crisis.
Resilience First have put together two fascinating panels on the Conference; the first will discuss securing the resilience of critical national infrastructure, with speakers from UK Power Networks, National Grid, Network Rail and BT, with the second focused on a new model for organisational resilience they have put together in collaboration with Cranfield University.
A selection of other subjects to be covered across the Summit and Conference include hostile vehicle mitigation strategies in light of the recent increase in vehicle ramming incidents, with speakers coming from Germany and the US, emerging trends in both security and terror attacks, panels on how to break into new markets especially the US, plus discussions on the human impact of those working in the security industry.
See products and techniques brought to life
The CrisisCast-produced Live Immersive Arena returns, presenting thrilling, narrative-driven scenarios that show how to deal with complex security incidents, utilising exhibitors
products to show how they actually work in practice. This year’s scenarios will see a cyber attack allowing protestors to infiltrate an airfield and contaminate the water supply. Exhibitors whose products will be demonstrated include Pitagone, Axon, Hirsch and Airbox Systems.
Border Force will have a large presence within the Government Zone, running a number of live demonstrations that showcase the techniques they employ, including the Search of Container Centre of Excellence, the Small Boats Operational Command Joint Control Room, the National Dog Team, and much more besides.
The always popular LPCB Live Testing Lab will have a packed schedule of perimeter security products tested by forced-entry experts, showing why they have achieved LPCB certification. In the Counter Threat Pavilion the teams from CBRN UK and Counter-EO UK will be running demonstrations showing how they deal with suspected hazardous and chemical devices in a vehicle. Plus there will be a separate Government-led demo, giving volunteers the opportunity to see if they’re ready to deal with a terrorist incident from a control room perspective.
In a central location on the exhibition floor, this year’s Government Zone
will see over 20 UK Government departments, agencies and organisations represented who are responsible for the various aspects of homeland security. This includes JSaRC (Joint Security & Resilience Centre), NaCTSO (National Counter Terrorism Security Office), Border Force, SIA (Security Industry Authority), FCDO Services, Department for Business and Trade and DASA (Defence and Security Accelerator). UK Resilience Academy, Immigration Enforcement and College of Policing will all be exhibiting for the first time. The Zone offers a rare opportunity to engage with so many Government agencies all in one location.
Elsewhere at the event, the Perimeter Protection Zone (in association with LCPB & supported by PSSA) will be packed with manufacturers from this sector, whilst the Drone & Counter-UAV Trail and Aviation Security Trail will lead visitors to exhibitors specialising in these areas. The Counter Threat Pavilion (in partnership with CBRN UK, Counter-EO UK & DPAC) and SCEG Pavilion will also showcase members from these special interest groups.
Network with your peers Across the event attendees will find
numerous opportunities to make new contacts from throughout the global security community, as well as find time to get together with existing networks, especially at the free Networking Drinks Reception at the end of day one (Tue 30 Sept).
The International Delegations Programme and International Hosted Buyer Programme both return, bringing delegations from all corners of the globe for busy programmes of meetings across the exhibition floor. This type of networking and collaboration only helps to further strengthen international security efforts.
As the world’s of physical and cyber security converge, becoming an ever increasing concern for Security Directors and those working in physical security, all attendees can benefit from access to co-located International Cyber Expo in the adjacent National Hall. Whichever of the two events you register for, you will have full access to both.
In International Cyber Expo, 100+ global suppliers will showcase the latest technological advancements and cutting-edge solutions shaping our digital world. The Global Cyber Summit & Tech Hub Stage assembles
some of the industry’s greatest minds to review ongoing cyber threats, priorities and challenges. Whilst the Diversity & Skills Stage will allow visitors to connect with peers, discover career-boosting strategies, and dive into initiatives that drive diversity in cybersecurity. Plus there’ll be exciting demo’s and a range of networking opportunities on offer.
Group Event Director Rachael Shattock says: “International Security Expo continues to be an essential date in the diary of those working at the highest levels of the global security industry, so we’re continuing to strive to make it even more unmissable. We can’t wait to hear the talks from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and are honoured to welcome them this year, whilst we are grateful to continue receiving such fantastic support from UK Government. There will be a multitude of networking opportunities across the event as we know that is so important for everyone, and the bringing together of the world’s of physical and cyber feels more urgent than ever. We really hope you can join us this year.”
Find out more and register for free click here
AI-powered surveillance is reshaping how organisations think about physical security. But amid the rapid evolution of machine learning and intelligent threat detection, one thing is becoming clear: the best defence is a human one – supported, not replaced, by technology.
At OCS, where security professionals work across diverse public and private settings, we’re seeing AI change the shape of threat response – but its true power lies in helping people do their jobs better.
From improved risk profiling to faster decision-making, surveillance is no longer just about watching, but about actively interpreting and acting. And it’s this ability to act – to prevent rather than just record – that defines a modern, resilient security operation.
Surveillance that supports frontline decision-making
Historically, surveillance has relied on manual oversight and reactive alerts. Now, systems driven by
AI can monitor behaviour, detect anomalies, and flag unusual activity in real-time. But the value lies in how that insight is applied. It’s not about relying on algorithms to take over judgement – it’s about equipping trained security personnel with more context, more quickly.
An example we’re seeing more of is the use of behavioural analytics in high-footfall areas – identifying subtle indicators that may point to risk, such as loitering, pacing, or abnormal movement patterns.
These can prompt a live review by a security officer, leading to an early intervention before a situation escalates. It’s the difference between responding to an incident and preventing one.
One of the real strengths of AI-led surveillance is its ability to contextualise information. In busy environments – such as transport hubs, large corporate campuses, or critical infrastructure – decision fatigue can be a real risk. AI helps by triaging alerts, removing false positives, and allowing teams to focus on what matters most.
Take, for example, how AI can distinguish between someone simply adjusting a backpack and someone potentially concealing a prohibited item. This level of intelligent filtering reduces noise and improves focus, enabling faster and more appropriate responses.
For larger organisations operating across multiple sites, this type of surveillance provides a unified
view – connecting data points across locations to build a real-time security picture. This means quicker escalation routes, better coordination
with law enforcement if needed, and a more strategic approach to site-wide threat mitigation.
Public confidence starts with transparency
With any advancement in surveillance comes a duty to balance public safety with privacy. It’s one thing to spot risks early; it’s another to do so in a way that builds trust. We’re increasingly working with customers to ensure the ethical deployment of AI – using clear signage, engaging colleagues, and ensuring data protection is a foundational part of any surveillance upgrade.
This focus on transparency is critical – particularly in public-facing
environments where security interventions must be proportionate, visible, and justifiable. People need to know not just that they are being protected, but how and why those measures are in place.
The road ahead: augmented security, not automated security What we’re looking at isn’t a shift towards machine-run surveillance, but a model where AI augments human expertise. Emotional AI, multimodal systems, and integrated platforms all have a role to play –but only when deployed thoughtfully
and with people at the centre.
At OCS, this means focusing not just on the technology itself, but on how it’s implemented, understood and maintained. Our work during Resilience Week reinforced this: security isn’t just about tools – it’s about confidence, communication and culture.
Security professionals will always be the frontline. AI’s role is to give them the best possible tools to do their job safely, effectively and with better insight. Surveillance may be getting smarter, but people remain its most important asset.
Richard Newey, Regional Sales Manager, HKC Security, discusses how cloud-connected alarm systems are transforming the traditional security installation model, and why recurring revenue is fast becoming the foundation for long-term business sustainability.
For decades, the security industry has operated on a transactional model: an installer fits the system,
hands over control to the customer, and moves on to the next job.
But with the rise of smart home technology, cloud platforms, and user expectations around ‘always-on’ support, that approach is no longer enough.
The role of the installer has shifted - they are now seen not just as engineers, but ongoing service providers who can provide maintenance after the installation
is complete. This shift opens the door to a more stable, scalable way of working, incorporating service subscriptions to generate recurring revenue.
So, how can installers successfully transition to this model, what’s driving customer demand, and why is recurring revenue not just a commercial opportunity, but the future of the profession?
Recurring revenue has been adopted in many industries for some time. From home broadband and tv streaming services, to home automation and desktop software, subscription-based business models have become the norm.
For a monthly fee, customers receive a continuous maintenance service, app access, and installer support. The benefit to the provider is obvious: reliable, predictable income and stronger relationships with clients.
Although recurring revenue models are the default in other industries, adoption in the intruder alarm sector has not been widespread. But now, the same logic is being applied to security systems, and it’s changing the way many installers operate.
The cloud-connected advantage
One of the main drivers of this shift has been the evolution of cloudconnected alarm systems. Platforms such as SecureComm have created a permanent link between the installer, the system, and the homeowner or end-user.
This link provides more than just remote control, it enables diagnostics, alerts, event logs, firmware updates, and even proactive maintenance, all without the need for a site visit. From a technical perspective, it represents a significant advancement, while from a commercial standpoint, it fundamentally transforms the way security businesses operate.
These capabilities allow installers to transition from transactional businesses to service businesses. Instead of relying solely on the next job to bring in revenue, they can generate income month after month from systems they’ve already installed. This not only improves cash flow but also makes the business more stable and better able to handle quiet periods or changes in demand.
The good news is that customers are increasingly open to this way of engaging with their home or business security. The subscription model has become a familiar and accepted part of modern life, with
things such as broadband, TV streaming, and video doorbells.
automatic updates, and peace of mind, many customers are happy to pay for a service plan that supports and enhances their system, but they aren’t always aware of the options available to them.
vital role to play. By educating the customer and demonstrating the benefits of connected security, they can unlock new revenue streams while delivering a better user experience.
It’s important to acknowledge that this shift also involves a cultural change within the industry. Many installers still hesitate to charge ongoing fees, worried that it might put customers off. But in practice, installers who understand and believe in the value they’re offering tend to have far more success presenting these options.
than offering overly complex tiers or bolt-ons, many successful businesses bundle their services into one or two clear, well-priced packages.
depending on the system and the user, but typically might cover app access, remote system health checks, cloud backup of event data, or annual support.
sense to include a full warranty or battery replacement schedule as part of a more premium package. The most important thing is that the offering is clear, useful, and justifiable from the customer’s point of view.
provider, a support contact, and a
added benefit of reducing complaints
also reshape the installer-customer relationship. Instead of a one-time transaction, the relationship becomes ongoing, dynamic, and service-led.
The installer isn’t just someone who turned up once and fitted a box on the wall - they’re now a trusted
managing subscriptions, and training
GoCardless, cloud portals from alarm manufacturers, and job management
Another key factor is support from the manufacturers themselves. Technical training is essential,
but installers also need help with commercial aspects: how to price their services, how to position them, and how to respond to customer questions. Ongoing support, responsive helplines, and real-world case studies all play a part in building confidence and competence.
Looking ahead, we see recurring revenue becoming a central part of the installer business model. It’s better for the installer, better for the
customer, and better for the longevity of the business. In a sector that has traditionally relied on reactive work and hardware margins, the move to service-led income represents a much-needed evolution.
Security systems will always need physical components, expert installation, and a personal touch. But increasingly, the value lies in what happens after the install. Connectivity, convenience, controlthese are the things customers care about. And they’re willing to pay for
them, month after month, if it means they feel protected, informed, and supported.
For security installers wondering how to grow in a crowded and competitive market, the answer might not be to fit more alarms, but to build deeper, longer-lasting relationships with the ones they’ve already installed.
For more information on HKC Security, visit www.hkcsecurity.com.
Maxxess eFusion software opens up limitless possibilities, taking you beyond feature-rich, enterprise-level access control to give you all the benefits of a total security and safety management platform – without the cost or complexity.
Ready-made to integrate more than 60 leading technologies, off-the-shelf, Maxxess eFusion now lets you combine access, video, fire, intruder, visitor management, building systems, widely used databases and site-specific applications.
www.maxxess-efusion.com
HID’s Event Management Platform and Janam mobile computers transform the guest experience at Chester Racecourse with fast entry guaranteed
King Henry VIII is famously remembered for his tumultuous love life and six wives which led to the English Reformation and creation of the Church of England. Lesser known, however, is that during his reign in 1539, Chester Racecourse was founded. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest racecourse still in operation, it’s located a short walk from the city centre. Operated by Chester Race Company, the venue is part of a diverse group that also manages two other racecourses - Bangoron-Dee in Wales and Musselburgh in Scotland - along with a catering business, city centre bar, hotel and recruitment business.
Chester Racecourse hosts 15 races a year on a distinctive one-mile track which features a short straight and
tight, challenging turns. Annually, over 200,000 guests visit, with the Boodles May Festival featuring the Chester Cup the highlight of the racing calendar. Beyond racing, the racecourse operates year-round and is the largest conference and events facility in Chester, employing 150 full-time staff and expanding to 1,000 on race days.
Tickets for Chester Racecourse are sold via the official website or at the box office, utilizing a ‘white labelled’ platform from SeatGeek that simplifies ticket selection and purchase. Guests can choose from various ticket options including general admission, entrance to the main enclosures - The Roodee, Tattersall, and County Stands – or premium hospitality packages.
Historically, guests received an e-ticket (a PDF) via email which they’d either print at home or access via their phones on race day to
retrieve a QR barcode which would then be scanned by stewards at multiple entrances.
This presented some unique challenges. “Poor mobile signal strength is an issue at the racecourse which is in a low-lying area so guests would struggle with connectivity and getting their tickets on their phones,” explains Gareth Simpson, Head of Racecourse Operations. “At peak times, this impeded ingress and entrances could become very congested especially when crowds arrive on mass. If getting in on race day is slow or people can’t actually find or download their tickets, it creates a negative experience.”
Another problem was the integration between SeatGeek and HID’s Event Management Platform (EMP) which manages all access control. A manual process was required to ‘pull’ tickets between the two systems. Tickets sold after a certain cut-off might not appear in the HID system, potentially barring
some-one from entry. “If something was going to keep the IT team up at night, it was that,” says Simpson.
In addition, access could be delayed as old ticket scanning devices were used which were slow, cumbersome and unreliable in low light conditions. They also required a connection to a Wi-Fi network which created other technical difficulties given some of the entrance gates are spread out and far from Wi-Fi access points. The legacy [wired] network also suffered from congestion under the load of thousands of guests, along with the other network traffic demands placed upon it like EPOS hardware, CCTV and betting applications.
From an operational perspective, therefore, stewards would often have to wait for the network to respond which exacerbated the congestion issue, with binary responses only provided – the acceptance or not of a ticket – with no details as to ‘why’. This hindered staff’s ability to resolve issues efficiently and guide guests appropriately.
Furthermore, Chester Racecourse required a solution which would help it meet its compliance and insurance obligations as stands are regulated and have capacity limits – an issue ever more critical given forthcoming legislation such as Martyn’s Law. “Chester Racecourse is classed as crowded place. Therefore, we need to do our utmost to make everything safe and secure so that people can
forget about the day-to-day, enjoy their time with us and have an amazing experience,” says Simpson. “Out of all the tickets sold, accurate, real-time visibility about who has actually entered and where they are is key to ensuring everyone’s safety.”
To overcome these challenges and enhance the guest experience, Chester Racecourse has implemented the latest Near Field Communications (NFC) ticketing technology, powered by HID’s centralized cloud-based Event Management Platform (EMP). “Admissions are our first touch point with guests so to deliver an excellent guest experience, we want the latest tools,” explains Simpson. “That’s why we’ve moved to smartphone-based NFC ticketing available in Apple or Google Wallets. For guests, it’s just like downloading a mobile boarding pass for a flight.”
Today, the ticketing workflow is seamless. When consumers purchase a ticket, they receive an instant confirmation, an encrypted e-ticket within seconds and an email with race-day instructions covering dress code, race program and directions. The e-ticket is downloaded directly to wallets in Apple iOS or Android-based smartphones. On race-day, a ‘pop up’ reminder appears on guests’ phones as they approach the racecourse.
To support this, around 45 Janam
XT3 rugged touch computer and scanners have been purchased. “The efficiency of the Janam devices is phenomenal. They take literally a fraction of a second to authorize each a ticket,” says Simpson. “Most importantly, they work offline and have all the tickets pre-loaded. Before gates open, all the units are refreshed so they have the latest up-to-date data eliminating the need to connect to Wi-Fi and a backend server. They also provide detail to staff about any issues with a particular ticket so better customer service is delivered.”
In conjunction with the NFC ticketing project, Chester Racecourse has made significant investments in updating its wireless and wired network to address the legacy IT issues and performance bottlenecks. High performance Wi-Fi 7 access points from Ruckus Networks have been installed, along with a new switches, routers and resilient 10 gigabit Ethernet connections to the Internet.
HID has collaborated closely with Chester Racecourse to develop a bespoke API that now integrates SeatGeek with its EMP. This automation ensures that tickets are updated in the access control database as they are sold, removing the need for an error-prone and time-consuming manual process.
Chester Racecourse believes it is
one of the first racecourses globally to implement NFC ticketing and an end-to-end solution from HID which has radically changed the admissions process. It is super-fast, uses technology consumers are familiar with and has worked faultlessly from day one.
HID has also worked closely with Chester Race Company to educate staff about how best to use its EMP to improve in-house knowledge of the platform so they take on more responsibility and management control. “It’s been transformational.” says Simpson. “The Janam handsets are intuitive and simple for our colleagues to use and we’ve addressed all our entrance issues. When we do post event ‘wash up’ reviews, admission challenges are no longer a discussion topic which demonstrates just how well the system is performing.
The Janam handsets also work perfectly in low light conditions which is beneficial during evening events held at the racecourse like the Lord Mayor’s Fireworks Extravaganza each November which raises money for local charities.
Operationally, IT staff are rarely required at gates to help resolve issues. Previously, a team of six used to be present; now, due to the changes in the admission system
and the investment in infrastructure, only three staff are needed, with their work reallocated and focused on supporting other areas of the business, not ticketing.
Furthermore, NFC ticketing will reduce fraud and stop people sharing, photographing or reselling (paper) tickets with barcodes on. This is simply not possible with a totally digital NFC-based solution. Ultimately, the goal is also to cut out the opportunity for touts to operate, with people directed to official channels like the box office or online for all ticket purchasing and changes which makes Chester Racecourse’s business more sustainable and efficient.
‘We’re the oldest racecourse in the world using leading edge technology,” claims Simpson.
“From NFC ticketing to advanced networking, we believe no other sports venues have deployed Wi-Fi 7 yet and certainly no racecourses in UK or Europe.”
Moving forward, Chester Race Company is exploring ways to expand NFC ticketing throughout the group to derive more business value from the investment in HID’s technology. “We want to improve pre-race communications, so guests have
downloaded their tickets to their digital wallets in advance. This will improve guest flow, so they get in faster and enjoy their day with us,” adds Simpson.
Other potential developments could involve using the accreditation module within the HID EMP platform to manage the press and employees of third partner contractors (like food outlets) and the zones they can access.
Given the racecourse site is used to stage other events – from conferences and concerts – the new ticketing solution could also offer more flexibility about how access is then managed and segmented – for example, people buying concert only tickets rather than whole site access. And the Chester Race Company team is actively looking at how guest membership cards and loyalty programmes can be managed within the EMP system, too.
“We want to create amazing memories at Chester Racecourse,” concludes Simpson, “The new NFC ticketing solution from HID leveraging digital wallets is enabling this by removing the admission headaches we used to have and creating a modern experience for guests, something you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a racecourse that’s getting close to 500 years old.”
Visit the Azena Application Store: the largest open platform for IP cameras. Offering groundbreaking software that runs on different models and integrates seamlessly with third party systems. Letting you benefit from AI video analytics – whether optimizing new cameras or retrofitting existing ones.
The range of ready-to-install apps extends beyond security and safety; adding value to operational intelligence, automation, or process control in such industries as healthcare, manufacturing, retail, transportation and tra ic.
Release the power of AI video solutions. www.azena.com
Start with a free trial Our free trial program is an easy way to test our solution with our support – no strings attached.
Multi-residential or multifamily housing is evolving as resident expectations and digital technologies promote rapid growth and disrupt long-standing business models. This is already Europe’s second-largest real-estate sector1. The Middle East is experiencing an unprecedented residential boom, propelled by rapid urbanization and government initiatives like Vision 20302. For
investors and property managers, choosing a smarter access solution will boost ROI and make daily living more convenient for residents. Digital access solutions offer meaningful security and ease of use across generations, while also streamlining operations for property managers.
Daily benefits for building residents Renters and homeowners see the daily benefits of this ‘connected
living’, in both convenience and energy performance. In an apartment block, the digital access experience can begin at the building entrance. Here, the security benefits and broad compatibility of the smart intercom system, for example from DoorBird – with functions including HD video, night vision and remote opening of the entrance door connected to an electronic locking solution – helps property developers, owners and managers meet or exceed tenant and
visitor expectations in convenience and safety.
Digital access can be implemented in various ways. One approach equips all access points throughout the property—including apartment entrances and common areas—with compatible hardware, managed centrally. Alternatively, only shared spaces may be integrated into the centralized system, while tenants use their own digital access solutions for their apartment doors and interiors. In both scenarios, the use of digital credentials by tenants enhances building security and improves the efficiency of access management processes. Whether choosing mobile keys or alternative digital credentials like smart keys, as the two real projects described below make clear, they feel the convenience benefits every day.
Another key area is improving the day-to-day management of on-site service providers. For facilities teams, managing plumbers, HVAC technicians and many other
contractors can be extremely time-consuming. How to get them in and out – securely and efficiently – without creating workload or compromising security?
With a digital solution, service providers carry access credentials which fit their precise time-period and location needs. Access can be issued for multiple premises, if they need it. For example, cleaners may be admitted five days each week between 6am and 9am. Their programmable credentials unlock site doors only during this window. During a refurbishment, electrical contractors may be issued with smart cards or mobile credentials which are valid for four days and then automatically expire.
Any lost credential is quickly deleted from a connected digital system: It won’t unlock doors, cabinets or any other accesscontrolled openings, providing building managers and tenants with peace of mind.
The “Glück Auf” housing association
in Gera, Germany, has a portfolio of almost 4,000 apartments. For their newest WeidenCarré project, they implemented a sustainable living concept by combining homes for young people, families and senior citizens at a single, multigenerational location. Housing association directors chose eCLIQ programmable key-based access, part of a suite of connected Digital Access Solutions from ASSA ABLOY, for all four new buildings at WeidenCarré.
Each tenant carries just one eCLIQ key which unlocks all their authorized openings: building entrances, apartment doors, garden gates, doors to utility rooms and other access points in the building. In addition to block tenants, facility managers, energy suppliers and technicians from external companies carry their own individual key programmed with the necessary authorizations. Daycare staff for the assisted-living homes receive temporary access via their eCLIQ keys, only as required.
“With eCLIQ, we have found an optimal solution for all our tenants
– families, young people and senior citizens – and the various service providers – whether contractors or house cleaners,” says Uwe Klinger, Chairman, WBG ‘Glück Auf’ Gera eG. “A locking solution that is geared towards the needs of the users and not the other way round.”
The breadth of the eCLIQ cylinder range is another big advantage for multi-residential settings. An eCLIQ device can equip almost any door thanks to the modular set-up of the locking cylinders and the availability of more than 60 different cylinder types, for doors and other openings including cabinets, gates, machines and more.
When tenants or homeowners choose a multi-residential property, they place trust in its managers to deliver security without hassle or worry. Increasingly, however, they also seek
convenience for their daily routine. In competitive urban and build-torent markets, or where housing providers seek to attract a younger demographic, an innovative digital solution becomes an aspirational part of the marketing mix, not just a security system.
When connected with digital access, home automation solutions can offer benefits such as smarter energy usage and real-time security notifications. The right digital access solution can even help multi-residences to go completely (or substantially) keyless. Out-thebox solutions like ASSA ABLOY SMARTairÒ include battery-powered cylinders and other devices to lock almost any opening, from high-traffic entrances and mailboxes to parking gates and front doors for homes. Building users gain access via cards, fobs, badges or their mobile phone. Facilities managers stay in control of
their property – a handful of doors or thousands – from a web portal or via the Openow app.
This connected solution was deployed by Becorp at a Barcelona site with around 3,000 doors3.
Residents gain access with mobile keys stored on their phone. This innovative approach has helped them to manage a large site more efficiently.
“Physical key management for any large development puts severe pressure on operational costs,” explains Becorp’s Xavier Casals. “Choosing SMARTair wireless locks and mobile management via the Openow app helps us to minimize them.”
Learn more about digital access solutions from ASSA ABLOY and download the solution guide: https:// www.assaabloy.com/group/emeia/ solutions/topics/access-control.
The ASSA ABLOY Group is the global leader in access solutions. Our offering covers products and services related to openings, such as locks, doors, gates and entrance automation solutions. This also includes expertise in controlling identities with keys, cards, tags, mobile and biometric identity verification systems.
www.assaabloy.com
azena accelerates the next generation of smart security and safety solutions through joint innovation with customers and partners. Our goal is to be the leading open platform and marketplace for smart security and safety solutions. The platform we offer is based on a camera operating system that powers cameras from various manufacturers on the market.
www.azena.com
Club Car boasts nearly 60 years of industry-leading innovation and design, initially focused on golf cars and then expanding to commercial utility vehicles and personal-use transportation.
www.clubcar.com
Innovating for a smarter, safer world by combining intelligent technology and human imagination, at Axis Communications we offer solutions based on sight, sound and analytics to improve security and optimize business performance.
www.axis.com
Buildings today don’t only provide a safe, functional place for people to live and work. They can also cater for – and even respond to – their needs, while helping them work more efficiently and sustainably. At Bosch Building Technologies, we are at the forefront of these new developments.
www.boschbuildingtechnologies.com
With a full HD camera and an optically stabilized, 40x zoom lens from FUJINON, two high-performance components are integrated into one system. This innovation is the result of years of experience in digital cameras and a dedication to the highest optical quality.
www.fujifilm.eu/fujinon
Hanwha Techwin Europe, formerly Samsung Techwin Europe, offers robust and reliable video surveillance products designed to meet the current and future needs of security professionals. Our cameras, video recorders and other devices are built to exacting standards which reflect the heritage of precision engineering associated with the Samsung brand.
www.hanwha-security.eu
HID powers the trusted identities of the world’s people, places and things. We make it possible for people to transact safely, work productively, and travel freely. We are passionate about helping people use a verified, trusted identity to make it more convenient and safer for them to get to where they need to go and achieve what they want to do in everyday life.
www.hidglobal.com
Maxxess Systems delivers innovative SaaS and security management software solutions that combine otherwise disparate physical security, communications, business intelligence and data integration capabilities onto one unified management platform.
https://maxxess-systems.com
Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions
Corporation of America a global leader in professional security solutions for surveillance and public safety, is launching their new name, i-PRO Americas Inc., and taking a unique approach to best navigate the evolving business environment and technology demands of the professional security industry.
https://i-pro.com/eu/en
As a trusted advisor and reliable partner, as a system integrator, service provider and a product vendor, Siemens offers energy-efficient, safe and secure buildings and infrastructure. With our people, our global footprint and our technical expertise, it's our passion helping you to create the perfect place – your perfect place.
www.siemens.com
Transforming teaching and learning with creative solutions to engage and inspire every student. Learning’s becoming more interactive. More immersive. More collaborative. At Sony we’re working with universities, colleges and schools to create richer, more rewarding educational experiences for today’s students and teaching staff.
https://pro.sony.com
At Mayflex we lead the way in the distribution of Converged IP Solutions. Bringing together ‘best-in-class’ Infrastructure, Networking and Electronic solutions. We’re a growing international force, enriched by the skills, expertise and unique personalities of our people. Globally owned but with a family and local feel.
www.mayflex.com
With over 30 years of experience, we design and manufacture marketleading security solutions for a range of buildings. Around 25,000 buildings each year are secured globally with Paxton products. Our global Head Office is based in Brighton, we have colleagues in 12 countries and we export to over 60 countries worldwide.
www.paxton-access.com
From its inception in 2001, SALTO was created with one objective: to devise a world-class access control system that was simple to use and extremely efficient, giving users the ability to control all their access needs and secure all their doors without complex and expensive wiring.
www.saltosystems.com
Videx Security is a leading manufacturer and supplier of access control systems across the UK. We are experts in the door entry market. Videx and our team of estimators, technical support and designers are focused on making and providing high quality products and support to customers.
www.videxuk.com