IP-based physical security systems offer several advantages over traditional systems, including higher resolution, scalability, and ease of integration. Migrating to IP-based systems will save your company money and provide better quality security.

The Disadvantages of Analog Systems

Traditional physical security systems rely on analog technology to capture and store surveillance footage. These systems use coaxial cables to transmit data to a digital video recorder (DVR) for storage and playback.

However, analog-based physical security systems have several limitations that can make them challenging to use effectively. The low resolution of analog cameras often results in unclear footage, making it difficult to identify people or objects in video surveillance. Additionally, analog systems have wiring demands that make them difficult to scale and integrate with other security systems.

These limitations can be problematic for businesses or organizations that require larger or more complex security systems.

What is an IP-Based System?

IP-based physical security systems have become the standard for many businesses and organizations. These systems use internet protocol (IP) technology to securely connect physical security devices and enable them to transmit and store data digitally.

The benefits of IP-based systems are numerous. For one, they offer a higher resolution that allows for more accurate facial recognition and biometric identification for video surveillance and access control. Additionally, IP-based systems are scalable, which means that they can be expanded or reconfigured as needed. This scalability is valuable for businesses that need to adjust their security systems in response to changes in their operations or growth. IP-based systems are also easy to integrate with other systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, which helps improve overall efficiency.

With their many benefits, it’s no surprise that migration to IP-based security systems is increasingly popular among businesses and organizations that want to enhance their security and streamline their operations.

Long-Term Cost Savings

One of the key benefits of IP-based physical security systems is their long-term cost savings over the long run.  These systems can reduce costs associated with maintenance, upgrades, and energy consumption.

IP-based systems don’t require separate cabling for power and data transmission, making them easier to install and maintain. Additionally, they enable remote management and updates, reducing the need for on-site maintenance visits.

The scalability of IP-based physical security systems also makes upgrading or expanding the system easier and more cost-effective than replacement.

Although IP-based systems may have higher upfront costs, their cost savings over time make them a smart long-term investment for businesses and organizations seeking to enhance their physical security while keeping costs under control.

Factors to Consider When Migrating

Companies considering a migration to IP-based physical security systems should take several factors into account. One crucial factor is infrastructure requirements, as IP-based systems rely on a robust network infrastructure to transmit and store data effectively. Before migrating, companies should ensure that their current infrastructure can support the new system.

Another important consideration is budget – migration includes costs for hardware, software, installation, infrastructure upgrades, and training staff. A business will need to ensure it can take on these costs before switching its system.

Integration with existing systems is also a key factor. Companies should consider whether the new system needs to integrate with other systems, such as building automation or ERP systems and select hardware that is compatible.

To ensure a successful transition, it’s important to consider all these factors. Working with a team that considers all these factors is vital; Activo analyzes all of these as they build a plan and budget, and will work to accommodate to meet your needs where possible.

Ready to update? Have further questions about migrating your current physical security system? Contact us today! Our experts are ready to guide you and your business toward future-forward, safe technologies.

The post Why Migrate to IP-Based Physical Security Systems appeared first on Activo.

At Activo, we design integrated video surveillance solutions that fit the needs of our clients. Part of our offerings include installing thermal CCTV cameras that provide an added layer of security. These cameras can automatically detect when temperatures exceed of fall below defined limits, allowing for preventive measures to be initiated.

Are you unsure if thermal CCTV cameras are the right fit for your business? Here are seven benefits you should consider.

1. Detecting High Body Temperature

During the COVID-10 pandemic, thermal CCTV cameras with the proper calibration can be used to detect high body temperatures in individuals. They can be used as the first line of defence for businesses and organizations with a high flow of people.

2. Intelligent Surveillance

Thermal CCTV camera can be used along with video analytics applications to detect and analyze situations. Non-threatening situations can be automatically dismissed while security teams can be notified of potentially dangerous ones.

3. Surveillance in Darkness

The primary benefit of thermal CCTV cameras is they do not require a light source to monitor a person or object emitting heat. A thermal CCTV camera will provide the same result in complete darkness as it would on a bright sunny day.

4. Lower False Alarms

When compared with motion sensor cameras, thermal CCTV cameras have a significantly lower number of false alarms. In traditional cameras, the motion sensor can be triggered by even the slightest movement like a flying leaf or plastic bag. Thermal CCTV cameras do not face this challenge as they detect an object/person and its difference with the surrounding environment.

5. Not Impacted by Weather

Traditional CCTV cameras are impacted by a change in weather. However, thermal CCTV cameras function without hindrance even in snow, rain, smog, and other adverse weather conditions.

6. No Visual Limitations

There are several visual limitations with traditional cameras, such as not being able to see through objects or camouflage. Thermal CCTV cameras can monitor elements through visual barriers or camouflage because they detect the heat that is emitted.

7. Return on Investment

For businesses that want to ensure they have the best surveillance equipment, thermal CCTV cameras are an affordable solution. The thermal CCTV cameras installed by Activo have a viewing range of up to several hundred meters, thus businesses often require fewer of these to be installed. Further, the thermal sensor lasts 80,000 operating hours (over 9 years) and the camera only requires 10 watts of power.

You can learn more about CCTV video surveillance here.

Transform Your Business with Activo

Activo specializes in providing physical security solutions for commercial businesses and organizations across Canada.  Our coast-to-coast service offerings—including monitoring, intrusion prevention, access control, and more—can be employed independently or integrated as part of a single security system depending on the nature and scope of your needs.

Contact us today if you want to learn more about how thermal CCTV cameras can help improve security for your business.

The post Benefits of Thermal CCTV Cameras appeared first on Activo.

Here, we look more closely at the role future-forward physical security solutions will (and are already) playing in creating a more sustainable world:

The Role of Intelligent and Integrated Security Solutions

Surveillance cameras and sensors have historically served two simple purposes: monitor areas and detect threats. This has proven effective at keeping us safe, but there are yet still untapped ways they may empower us to increase sustainability:

• Tracking air pollution can help us proactively identify trends and problems.
• Early warnings for environmental hazards or disasters can enable us to respond in more effective ways.
• Keeping an eye on activities like unauthorized waste dumping can allow to identify patterns.

Employing these types of tools and ongoing measurements means we can respond to situations based on data-driven insight rather than gut intuition and craft approaches to meet our sustainability goals.

3 Real-World Use Cases: Transit, Agriculture, and Infrastructure

To read about each of these in greater detail, check out this article from Axis.

Transit: Using Sensors to Tackle Gridlock

We’ll focus on something most deal with on a daily basis—traffic. Imagine an intersection with a network of overwatch and ground level security cameras and sensors, each of which is able to collect different types of data:

• Detecting Incidents: Rather than relying on drivers to report road conditions or accidents, cameras can offer real-time insights on congestion, hazards, and more.
• Recognizing Licence Plates: The applications of this feature are numerous, from access control to vehicle alerts, parking management, and more.
• Collecting Data: Today, we use tools like magnetic sensors to count vehicles and track traffic density. Intelligent cameras can give us the same information and more.

While those are all neat uses on their own, they can also have a direct impact on sustainability—giving drivers and transit operators the information they need to reduce their transit time and, by extension, their carbon footprint.

Agriculture: Reducing Water Wastage with Smart Cameras and Sensors

Although 69% of the world’s freshwater is extracted for use in agriculture, the majority of it is still wasted by inefficiencies. So how do we change this? One approach is to use thermal imaging and visible light network cameras to monitor foliage and soil health as well as crop leaf temperature so automatic watering systems can better regulate how and when they are used.

Infrastructure: Cutting Energy Consumption with Light-Sensitive Cameras

Rock Hill School District in South Carolina was looking for a way to both improve safety at their schools and reduce their carbon footprint. To do this, they chose Axis’ Lightfinder technology, which gives cameras the ability to capture, process, and send high-res images even in low-light environments (below 0.18 lux) and differentiate people from moving objects.

The result: security personnel are better able to maintain a high degree of security in traditionally less-than-optimal conditions, and Rock Hill School District is able to keep their lights and energy consumption low.

Why You Need Integrated Security Solutions

We haven’t yet reached the point where sensors are a part of our everyday lives, but when we do you need to make sure you’re prepared for it—and that means having an integrated security infrastructure capable of meeting your needs today and into the future.

Activo integrates security systems that include a variety of elements so that all of your critical security information is available as part of a singular infrastructure. Contact us today to learn more!

Read more from Activo:

• 5 Things You Can Do with Video Analytics
• 3 Ways to Maximize the Security of Your Security Systems
• Why Structured Cabling Is the Backbone of the Digital Building

The post Can Surveillance Cameras and Sensors Help Us Create a More Sustainable World? appeared first on Activo.

But what can you do with the data?

Axis put together a list of five cool things you can do using video analytics. We’ve summarised them here for you to read and added our thoughts about ensuring your network infrastructure is ready to handle IP cameras:

1. Protect Your Perimeter

Today, many thermal cameras actually feature built-in analytics tools that enable them to see anytime, anywhere (especially at night). If they detect movement in a pre-defined area, that can trigger an alert to notify your security team who will be able to respond appropriately.

Keep in mind that these types of systems can and often are integrated with lights, loudspeakers, access control, and more as part of a holistic security system.

2. Recognize Faces

Facial recognition can serve two purposes depending on how and why it’s used:

• Improving Security: When someone enters a space, their face is captured and run against an existing database to determine whether or not that person should be there. This type of facial recognition is used most often in places like airports and casinos.
• Enhancing Customer Experiences: Retailers can not only set messages to activate when someone is nearby, but also use facial recognition tools to determine whether or not that individual has already seen the message.

Why should you switch to IP-based cameras for your security system? Check out these 10 reasons!

3. Detect Sounds

In addition to watching for signs of trouble, smart cameras can also keep an ear out for sounds like aggressive screaming or glass breaking.

4. Count People

People counting is especially prominent in retail settings where understanding the number of customers coming in and out can help retailers improve their pricing, promotions, store layouts, staffing levels, and more. It can also be useful at locations like airports and museums to provide visitor statistics.

5. Recognize License Plates

While traditional license plate detection systems could be costly, technological advancements have helped to make them more attainable. Today, most standard IP cameras with the right software are able to handle the task, which means they can:

• Automate car park fees.
• Monitor who’s coming in and going out.
• Let traffic flow more easily on toll roads.
• Enable access control.

Do you want to read the whole article? Click here!

Is My Infrastructure Ready to Support IP Cameras?

If you’re considering installing or switching to IP cameras, you need to make sure you have the right network infrastructures in place to support them.

Things to think about include:

• Bandwidth: The amount you’ll need will be influenced by factors like how many cameras your system will incorporate as well as their resolution, frame rate, lighting, and more.
• Storage: The most popular option tends to be an on-site hard drive; however you can also choose to use an off-site source like the cloud for primary or backup storage.
• Type of System: Common options are hardwired (physically connected to control panels using a traditional landline), wireless (using wireless of cellular connections), solar (which can be beneficial for remote locations, and GSM (relying on a GSM modem).

Other questions you’ll need to reflect on centre around the type of cameras you’ll need—what resolution is best, where will they be located, what environmental conditions will they be exposed to, and how will you use them?

The right security and network integration partner can help you understand your choices and determine which will be ideally suited to your needs.

At Activo, are proud to partner with Axis to provide your organization with state-of-the-art surveillance solutions. Contact us today to learn more!

More about Security Solutions from Activo:

• Security Cameras from Axis – Tested without Compromise [Infographic]
• 10 Reasons to Switch to IP-based Video for Security Systems
• 5 Types of Security Network Cameras

The post 5 Things You Can Do with Video Analytics appeared first on Activo.

Genetec recently put together an article outlining some of the top security trends we can expect to see over the course of 2017.

We’ve summarized their thoughts into five key points:

1. Safe, Responsible Security for the Internet of Things (IoT)

The IoT is affecting change across all industries, connecting a greater number of devices to enable the rapid exchange of data and more efficient, globalized communications.

While anticipating the benefits the IoT will bring, don’t forget to consider security-related concerns like:

• Intercepting and blocking hackers.
• Preventing cyber-crime.
• Protecting the personal information of users.

You have security cameras set up, a Video Management System (VMS) in place, and controlled doors – but is the system itself secure? Read our blog to learn three actions you can take to maximize the security of your security systems.

2. Flexible Cloud-Based Options for Custom-Made Security Solutions

Security systems aren’t one-size-fits-all. They need to be flexible enough to meet the needs of each organization, allowing users to decide between options like on-premises vs. hybrid, perpetual vs. as-a-service licenses, and more.

The cloud is the gateway for individualized change. Transitioning to cloud-based security infrastructures will make it easier for organizations to capitalize on the elasticity of new technologies and realize unique cost savings.

3. Intelligent Technology Means Enhanced Security

No matter how many different elements your security system incorporates, it’s almost guaranteed to capture a lot of data. Your tools should help you make sense of all that information, and that means looking for solutions that will:

• Provide situational intelligence.
• Simplify operational requirements.
• Help users make smart, informed decisions without delay.

These types of functionalities are native to Decision Support Systems (DSS), which are likely to become increasingly popular throughout 2017 and the years that follow to make security systems more responsive.

4. Access-Control-as-a-Service (ACaaS) Maximizes Adaptability

Customer demand for transparency from all technological solutions (including security) continues to drive the global market for ACaaS, which is estimated to exceed 620 million dollars by 2020.

With an ACaaS solution, customers can keep their own hardware while subscribing to a term-based service. This makes upgrading in the future more affordable and efficient.

5. Break Down Silos for Enhanced Security and Collaboration

With a greater amount of data being shared at ever increasing speeds, organizations want solutions that will build bridges (not walls) between systems and teams to help them integrate, communicate, and collaborate seamlessly.

Simplifying how users access the information and services they need will be a key part of the transition to more connected, intelligent security systems.

The year ahead (and those that follow it) will continue to bring transformative changes to the security landscape. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a security system ready to keep pace and make the most of future advancements.

Activo is proud to be partner with trusted suppliers to provide leading-edge security systems. Contact us today to discuss the solutions that will be right for your business.  

More from Activo:

• 5 Steps to Create an Effective Incident Response Program
• Network Cabling Considerations
• 5 Types of Security Network Cameras

The post The 5 Security Trends You Need to Watch for in 2017 appeared first on Activo.

But what about the system itself? Is it secure?

Whether it’s a stranger hacking into a video monitor or accessing confidential emails, security is a major concern for companies and organizations of all sizes. Although cyber-attacks are unlikely to end anytime soon, it’s reassuring to remember that system and data protection mechanisms will also continue to become stronger and stronger.

We’ve highlighted three key tools you can use to keep vulnerable data, assets, and systems protected:

1.  Encryption

Encrypting data means encoding it, ensuring unauthorized users won’t be able to see or access sensitive data or private information.

The process is done using an encryption key. The key then uses an encryption algorithm, which translates (or encodes) readable data (or plaintext) into unreadable data (or ciphertext). Only the right decryption key will then be able to decode that ciphertext into plaintext.

An encryption algorithm can be either symmetric or asymmetric:

• With symmetric encryption algorithms, the encryption and decryption keys will be the same. They’re faster and easier to implement, making them ideal for bulk data encryption. The downside, however, is that anyone who has the decryption key will be able to access your data (whether or not it’s meant for their eyes).

• Asymmetric algorithms use two separate but mathematically linked encryption keys. You can use a public key to encrypt the data, which means it can be widely distributed, while a private key is needed for decryption to guarantee security. The reverse is also possible (encrypting the data with a private key and decrypting it with a public one). The disadvantages are that asymmetric algorithms are slower and require a greater amount of computation to set up.

2.  Authentication

Authentication is a two-step process. First, you need to determine that an entity (user, server, or client application) is who or what it claims it is. Second, you need to verify if and how it should have access.

This process can happen on the server-side, client-side, or both. The difference between the two is that while client-side authentication uses techniques like tokens or usernames/passwords, server-side authentication uses certificates:

• A token is a type of claims-based authentication, which is achieved by presenting valid and signed information. It works in the same way as a boarding pass. Presenting only your passport at the gate isn’t going to get you on the plane. You first need to be vetted through picture ID before you’re given your boarding pass, which lets the airline verify your claim.

• A digital certificate proves ownership over a public key. It includes information about the key itself, its owner, and the digital signature of the signer to confirm it’s communicating with the correct entities. Certificates are commonly used on HTTPS-based websites to validate the authenticity of a web server.

Authentication is crucial for keeping data protected and preventing unauthorized access – preventing hackers from pretending to be security servers to control, copy, or manipulate valuable data.

3. Authorization

Authorization lets security system administrators specify user access privileges and rights, restricting activities by:

• Granting access to groups or individuals for applications, resources, or data.
• Defining what users will be able to do with resources.
• Controlling how long data will be kept.
• Selecting information that can be distributed, shared, or modified.

Setting access and activity parameters is especially important for video surveillance.

Whatever type of security infrastructure you have, it’s important to ensure it’s protected at every level. This will enhance the security of the entire system and all the elements to which it’s connected.

Activo is proud to be partner with trusted suppliers to provide advanced, leading-edge security systems and network solutions. Contact us today to discuss the security and networking technologies that will be right for your business.  

More from Activo:

• 5 Steps to Create an Effective Incident Response Program
• Network Cabling Considerations
• 5 Types of Security Network Cameras

The post 3 Ways to Maximize the Security of Your Security Systems appeared first on Activo.

But where should you start? In a recent blog, Cisco laid out five steps for an effective response program. We’ve summarised them here for you:

1.     Set Up an Incident Response Program

You can establish an incident response program for your organization by:

1. Identifying a response leader. This person should have a good understanding of the business and be an effective problem solver.

2. Assemble a team of stakeholders. Each should have clearly outlined responsibilities and roles.

3. Draft your response process, establishing documentation standards. Remember, you don’t need to make the plan complicated. It just needs to work for your business and be consistent.

4. Connect people with the tools they need. The good thing is that much of what you need is already likely in place.

5. Understand capability gaps and craft a plan to address them. You can start with a minimum viable process and enhance it over time.

2.     Detect Events

To discover incidents quickly, rely on sources like:

• Internal Users, Monitoring Protocols, and Risk-Assessment Tools: Ultimately, the best way to start is to make your employees aware. They should understand the security risks relevant to your business and know how to identify them. If they believe everything is safe, dangerous anomalies will be easier to overlook.
• External Customers and Entities: Take advantage of automated monitoring tools – including analytics of questionable user behaviour or traffic – as your second line of defence.
• Social Media: Bad news travels fast. Monitor social media to make sure you’re not the last one to know.

3.     Begin Triage and Containment

Triage starts as soon as you detect a problem. You need to research the situation to understand it, which will help you determine how you should respond to it.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What’s the nature of the problem?
• Is it an ongoing event?
• Will people outside of your organization hear about the event?
• Which services, systems, applications, or products are affected?
• Could sensitive data – including customer or personal information – be compromised or exposed?

After you’ve gained control, you need to contain the event by taking all necessary actions as soon as possible to stop and control the incident and/or data loss.

4.     Execute Your Response Plan

After containing the incident, develop a response plan including things like:

• Actions necessary to remediate damage.
• Notifications and communications you need to issue, both internal and external.

Before you can develop a response plan, make sure you fully understand the scope, nature, and cause of the problem.

5.     Undertake Remediation

After completing all the activities outlined in your response plan, you need to review the incident’s status and any lessons you learned from it. Taking effective actions afterwards can help you improve data security practices in the future.

Activo is proud to be partnered with Cisco, providing advanced, leading-edge network solutions. Contact us today to discuss the networking technologies that will be right for your business.  

More from Activo:

• Cisco’s IP Phone 8800 Series Offers a Full Suite of Voice Communication Features
• Why Flexibility Is Essential in Your Unified Communications and Voice Solution
• Highlights from Cisco’s Visual Networking Index Global Mobile Forecast 2014-2019 [Whitepaper]

The post 5 Steps to Create an Effective Incident Response Program appeared first on Activo.

Since inventing the first network camera in 1996, Axis has been the global market leader in network video. With set-up and equipment costs at competitive rates, companies can create comprehensive security packages incorporating live camera feeds, remote video viewing, high-quality images, and more.

Today’s network cameras can be divided into five distinct categories:

1.     Fixed Network Cameras

Fixed network cameras have permanent viewing directions once they’re mounted, though many also come with motorized, varifocal, or fixed zoom lenses.

Fixed network cameras are the most traditional, identifiable type of network camera and are the best choice in situations where it makes sense to have cameras be prominent and noticeable. They can be installed in protective enclosures and can be mounted on a tilt motor to enhance viewing flexibility.

2.     Fixed Dome Cameras

A fixed dome network camera is what its name suggests – a fixed camera in a dome case. It might have a motorized, varifocal, or fixed zoom lens, which will be interchangeable for some cameras.

Benefits associated with fixed dome cameras include:

• They can be pointed in any direction.
• Fixed dome cameras are discreet, non-obtrusive, and make it difficult to see the direction they’re pointing.
• The cameras are tamper resistant.
• They can be mounted on a pole, wall, or ceiling.

Fixed dome cameras featuring wide-angle lenses provide 360 degree, panoramic fields of view.

3.     Covert Network Cameras

Covert network cameras are designed to blend seamlessly into the environment around them, making them almost impossible to discover. They can be located at eye level and incorporated into machines like ATMs. They facilitate close-up shots and are hard to tamper with.

Axis’ covert network cameras offer resolutions up to 1 MP using a pinhole lens, and are pre-mounted with an Ethernet cable. These cameras are ideal for hospitals, banks, and retail stores.

4.     PTZ Network Cameras

PTZ network cameras enable wide area coverage and detailed zooming, offering manual and automatic tilt, zoom, and pan functions. Axis’ PTZ network cameras come equipped with zoom lenses to guarantee optical zoom without sacrificing image resolution, a common problem with digital zoom.

Features that can be incorporated into a PTZ network camera include:

• Most Axis PTZ network cameras support 3D privacy masking, which lets operators block selected areas of a scene from being viewed or recorded. That masking is maintained even when the camera changes its field of view.

• E-flip automatically rotates images 180 degrees to seamlessly follow individuals as they move. In traditional network cameras without E-flip functionality, a person who passes under the lens will be seen upside down.

• Axis’ PTZ network cameras enable pre-set positions and guard tours. Once set, operators can quickly go from one position to the next. When in guard tour mode, the camera can move automatically from one position to the next, either in a pre-determined order or at random.

• With tour recording, a device like a joystick will record the tilting, zooming, and panning movements an operator makes. That tour can be activated to operate on repeat at schedule times.

• Autotracking automatically detects moving persons or vehicles, following them within the camera’s area of coverage. This is particularly beneficial in unmanned surveillance situations, cutting down costs and increasing the surveillance system’s effectiveness.

• The Advanced Gatekeeper lets a PTZ network camera move – panning, tilting, and zooming – when motion is detected in a pre-set area, returning to its “home position” after a set amount of time. Combining that functionality with the ability to track a detected object is called Active Gatekeeper.

• When used outdoors, PTZ network cameras with zoom factors beyond 20x can become sensitive to motion and vibration. Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) helps to reduce effects of vibration, reducing the file size and saving valuable storage space.

5.     Thermal Network Cameras

Thermal network cameras create images based on heat radiating from surrounding objects. Often the images are produced in black and white. They can be artificially coloured, which makes it easier to distinguish between different shades.

Thermal network cameras are ideal for:

• Detecting objects and incidents obscured by shadows, darkness, and other challenging conditions.
• Complementing conventional network cameras, as they don’t enable reliable identification.
• Perimeter protection, providing a cost-effective alternative to flood lights, electrified fences, and radio frequency intruder detection.
• Providing discrete surveillance without the need for artificial light.
• Securing indoor or outdoor off-limits or dangerous areas including tunnels, nuclear power plants, prisons, and more.

The lenses of thermal network cameras are often made with germanium, which lets thermal radiation and infrared light pass through. The Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) value expresses a thermal camera’s sensitivity to infrared lights. A lower NETD value means better sensitivity.

Ultimately, it’s important to choose the right type of camera to complement and benefit your security package.

At Activo, are proud to partner with Axis to provide your organization with state-of-the-art surveillance solutions. Contact us today to learn more!

More about Security Solutions from Activo:

• Security Cameras from Axis – Tested without Compromise [Infographic]
• 10 Reasons to Switch to IP-based Video for Security Systems
• What is an IP- Based Camera and Video System?

The post 5 Types of Security Network Cameras appeared first on Activo.

Genetec’s Security Center 5.3 is riding ahead of the curve with a new suite of upgrades to outfit its comprehensive security solution with a bulletproof system, keeping your critical data secure and protected. The single-platform solution still unites third-party security with key business systems, but now with a lot more power and flexibility.

Through these new product advances, Security Center’s unified platform gains additional ground in enhanced security, access control, a simpler operator experience, and improved sharing and collaboration across internal and external organizational networks.

Unified Platform Enhancements

Genetec has streamlined security operations to run from one single platform with a highly intuitive client interface. All monitoring, reporting, and configuration tasks live conveniently within a single application.

Some of the latest security modules available in this build include:

• Sipelia Communications Management
• Security Center Web Client
• Tile Layout Editor
• New SDK Features
• Auto-Lock Workstation

Video Management Enhancements

Improved video security capabilities make it easy to view enhanced investigation details as well as video export workflows. Organizations can also now optimize the use of hardware and device resources.

Some additional enhancements include:

• GPU-Accelerated Video Decoding
• Incident Recording
• Archive Transfer
• Video Export and Player Enhancements
• Cloud Archives

Access Control Enhancements

The Synergis Access Control module gained several IP security improvements to further secure your business while simplifying daily aspects of business and maintenance tasks.

Some key improvements with Security Center 5.3 include:

• Visitor Escort Rule
• Two-Person Rule
• First-Person-In Rule (with Unlock Schedules)
• First-Person-In Rule (with Controlled Access)
• Extended Custom Card Formats (256 bits)

Automatic License Plate Recognition Enhancements

Partner organizations are able to share select ALPR data across the network, enhancing cooperation between departments. Data access and retention controls also received upgrades.

Finally, some additional improvements include:

• ALPR Federation
• Improved User and Data Retention Management
• Advanced Events to Action
• Dynamic Display of Patrol Vehicles
• License Plate Correlation Reports

Click here to learn more about Genetec’s Security Center 5.3, a reliable, accessible, and scalable security solution.

>> Activo offers a wide range of security solutions for businesses across Canada. Contact us to review your security needs and to find the ideal fit for your business.

More about Security Solutions from Activo:

• Security Cameras from Axis – Tested without Compromise [Infographic]
• 10 Reasons to Switch to IP-based Video for Security Systems
• Security Center from Genetec: Integrating IP Video Surveillance, Access Control & License Plate Recognition

The post Security Center 5.3 from Genetec Expands on Comprehensive Security Offerings appeared first on Activo.

Security cameras must be able to withstand a variety of environmental factors, including water, vibrations, impacts, abrasions, hot and cold temperatures, and more! And of course, the cameras must be resistant against deliberate vandalism as well.

That’s why Axis Communications, one of our valued partners in security solutions, puts their cameras through rigorous quality assurance testing. From design to production, Axis cameras must perform to the highest standards.

Axis offers security cameras for any scenario, from extreme outdoor environments to discrete applications:

• Fixed network cameras (including discrete miniature cameras)
• Fixed dome cameras
• Onboard cameras for buses and trains
• PTZ cameras
• Thermal cameras
• Panoramic cameras
• HD and megapixel network cameras
• Outdoor surveillance solutions

Whatever your security requirements, the right cameras exist to meet them.

Check out this infographic from Axis, which highlights some of the intense testing their security cameras must undergo:

>> From video surveillance systems to access control, Activo offers full security solutions to meet your specific needs. Contact us today!

More about Security Solutions from Activo:

• 10 Reasons to Switch to IP-based Video for Security Systems
• Security Center from Genetec: Integrating IP Video Surveillance, Access Control & License Plate Recognition
• IP Access Control Systems and Solutions

The post Security Cameras from Axis – Tested without Compromise [Infographic] appeared first on Activo.