The Security Industry Association (SIA) has created a new Cybersecurity Certification (SICC), developed by SIA with support from the PSA Security Network and Security Specifiers. This is the first ever certification focused specifically on cybersecurity and physical security convergence, according to the association.
“Today’s technical security projects necessarily involve an assessment of cybersecurity risks and threats,” said SIA Director of Learning and Development Elli Voorhees. “To mitigate potential vulnerabilities tied to IoT and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) devices, physical security professionals must possess a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity requirements, regulations and industry best practices.”
SICC is intended for security industry professionals who perform or provide technical support for the installation, networking, configuration or specifying of electronic security and low-voltage technology devices. These individuals may include senior service technicians, installers, technical project managers, security system designers, technical support engineers, security specifiers and consultants, IT and cybersecurity managers, chief technology officers, network administrators and product managers.
“The new SICC was born out of the recognition that the security of installed systems depends on the knowledge and qualifications of those who install and configure them,” said Ray Coulombe, founder and managing director of Security Specifiers. “This certification is an important step in the provisioning of cyber-secure systems.”
To earn the SICC credential, individuals must apply and take a certification exam. Each applicant is required to have a minimum of two years of experience directly related to or technically supporting the installation, networking, configuration or specifying of electronic security or low-voltage technology devices.
The certification promises to:
Establish baseline competency requirements for employees who are responsible for installing and technically supporting the installation, networking and configuration of security devices.
Provide clients with the assurance that security devices are installed securely, configured skillfully and integrated into a security ecosystem with cybersecurity risks in mind.
Give recipients a competitive advantage by distinguishing installers and technicians who have cybersecurity baseline competence and who are committed to ongoing learning and development in order to prepare for, combat and respond to rapidly evolving cyber threats.
“The daily news underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity awareness, hygiene and training,” said Ric McCullough, president of PSA Security Network and chair of the SIA Executive Council. “This new cyber certification program specifically and proactively addresses those important concerns with a cyber certification designed especially for our security industry. PSA is proud to be an active co-contributor to this program.”
Applications are now being accepted to test for the SICC credential. Learn more at www.securityindustry.org. — By Courtney Wolfe, SDM Managing Editor //
Quanika and Axis Communications are partnering for an end-to-end offering, supported from Quanika’s new office in Florida, which will enable consultants and systems integrators using Axis Communications video, access and audio hardware to create seamless management solutions.
Software vendor Quanika provides end-to-end solutions for a wide range of applications, from small and medium scale projects up to the enterprise level.
“The company is predicting growth in demand for unified management solutions that encompass security, safety, building management and databases, allowing integration with corporate systems for human resources, workflow scheduling and visitor management,” said Leo Coo, Quanika general manager. “These solutions — which are now straightforward to implement, maintain and extend — are helping users to benefit from data intelligence providing insight on all aspects of activity on their premises. As building use and occupancy patterns change, the ability of companies to make decisions based on granular data from access, video and other systems will become ever more important.”
Over the last 18 months, Quanika has been addressing these and other common challenges solved by systems integration, strengthening its partnership with Axis Communications. The tech collaboration, under which Quanika has joined the Axis Application Development Partner (ADP) Program, has proven effective in Europe, opening up easier project delivery paths and resulting in major implementations in sectors such as healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and mixed-use commercial developments.
“There’s a pressing market need for easy, yet comprehensive systems integration and a modularized approach addresses this,” said Bruce Stewart, business development manager, Axis Door Solutions. “Quanika’s off-the-shelf integration with Axis hardware, site-specific devices and other third party VMS platforms makes seamless integration easier for users. We are eager to welcome our partner, Quanika, to the Americas and are pleased to have their solutions available to our partners and end customers.”
Quanika Compact and Enterprise access control software primarily benefits users looking to leverage the power of Axis Communications’ AXIS A1001 Network Door Controller and A1601 Network Door Controller for unlimited doors and users, and to integrate AXIS Camera Station as well as Milestone video management software (VMS).
Thanks to reduced cost and complexity, Quanika Compact is a practical choice for small-to-medium applications in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, logistics and similar locations, giving users the ability to tie together and flexibly manage multiple sites.
Quanika Enterprise is designed for large scale facilities and organizations that need unlimited cardholders and enterprise level functionality without the price tag, including multi-purpose buildings, hotels, transportation hubs, hospitals and universities, giving organizations complete control and situational awareness across their entire estates globally.
For more information, go to www.quanika.com. //
LenelS2 has introduced its Indoor Location subscription-based service for businesses and other organizations using LenelS2’s BlueDiamond mobile app version 2.1.8 for smartphones. This new app service complements LenelS2’s touchless access solutions by providing users with the ability to quickly pull up a map to determine current location within a building; search for points of interest; use turn-by-turn directions for efficient navigation; and unlock doors directly from a building map. The service is an advanced solution in Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program, which LenelS2 is a part of.
“Our new BlueDiamond Indoor Location service raises the bar for mobile credential app capabilities,” said Ernie Chan, general manager, BlueDiamond and value-added services, LenelS2. “BlueDiamond mobile credential holders can confidently find their way within buildings, enabling easier, more efficient building navigation. This new capability expands the ways credentialed users experience touchless access control, including unlocking doors in their path.”
For customers utilizing the LenelS2 OnGuard or NetBox access control security systems, the indoor location service provides app users with convenient, facility-wide navigation. From corporate campuses, to entertainment venues, hospitals, convention centers and more, users can quickly get directions by pulling up a map from their smartphone to show their current location and search for points of interest such as meeting rooms, exits and more. In combination with BlueDiamond readers, users can also unlock doors using voice commands or other app features for an enhanced touchless access experience.
The service is hardware-agnostic, allowing it to work with various technologies including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy and virtual beacons. Organizations can digitize facility maps and define dynamic points of interest. The beacons deployed throughout the facility enable the app to triangulate the smartphone’s location for display on the map.
The Indoor Location service joins the recently announced contact notification service as part of BlueDiamond mobile app version 2.1.8 that also includes a variety of non-subscription-based updates to improve the access control and user experience.
For more information, visit www.lenelS2.com. //
DMP has released its XT30 and XT50 alarm panels that are FirstNet-ready. FirstNet is built with AT&T in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority. It is the only nationwide, high speed broadband communications platform that’s dedicated to and purpose-built specifically for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community.
Last fall, DMP released its FirstNet Ready Cellular Communicator, and DMP’s flagship control panel, the XR Series, became one of the first to be approved for use on FirstNet. Now, DMP’s XT Series control panels have also met the standards for supporting the critical operational needs of public safety agencies and users who need tools that are secure, resilient, scalable and available when needed.
FirstNet can be used by premises alarm units at government facilities, as well as businesses and homes, to communicate alarm information through the network. Typical signals would be burglar alarm, fire alarm, medical alarm signals and other related signals.
Learn more at www.firstnet.com. //
Johnson Controls has announced eight additions to its popular Tyco Illustra Flex camera series. With enhanced image processing, improved low-light capability and secure boot protection against cyberattacks, the new NDAA-compliant Illustra Flex Gen3 cameras are designed to provide high performance, cost-effective solutions for virtually any video surveillance application. The Illustra Flex Gen3 is capable of connecting into the Johnson Controls OpenBlue platform, a complete suite of connected solutions for sustainability, new healthy occupant experiences and safety and security solutions.
With a small footprint, the Illustra Flex Gen3 cameras provide a choice of bullet, indoor mini-dome, outdoor mini-dome and compact camera formats. The new 3MP models will supersede existing Gen2 3MP Illustra Flex cameras. The 8MP (4K) models — which feature a built-in suite of intelligent video analytics for enhanced situational awareness and faster response, as well as facilitate exception reporting — complement 4K Flex Gen2 cameras.
The external cameras are equipped with built-in adaptive IR illuminators which enable them to capture crisp, clear images day or night, regardless of lighting conditions, up to a distance of 40 meters, while the compact cameras’ IR illuminators are effective up to 15 meters.
To learn more, visit www.illustracameras.com. //
NAPCO Security Technologies Inc. introduced a new Marketing Tools Portal for dealers and integrators, enabling them to market security services, upgrades and new systems more easily. The portal offers customizable mailers and statement stuffers security pros can download, or request physical copies of for free; customizable, ready-made HTML emails; and a library of high-res or web-ready downloadable photos.
Organized by targeted vertical market and product type, these materials are now available in one place, making it easy to reach out to customers or take over prospects.
Find the portal at www.napcosecurity.com/starlink/customizable.
The Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA) has announced its Secure Credential Interoperability (SCI) initiative and a working group to advance its development. PSIA member companies involved in the work group include Allegion, ASSA ABLOY, dormakaba, Farpointe Data, IDEMIA, Kastle Systems, LenelS2, Tyco and WaveLynx Technologies.
The SCI specification supports NFC, ISO14443 and Bluetooth (BLE), and can accommodate all device types including cards, mobile devices and wearables. The group has already prepared a draft specification for apps, readers and locks featuring BLE compatibility. The SCI Work Group is finalizing its technical draft of the specification and any companies interested in being part of this process are invited to join the PSIA.
Learn more at www.psialliance.org.
Genetec has announced an update to its camera registry module for Genetec Clearance, a digital evidence management system that facilitates collaboration between public safety agencies, corporate security departments, businesses and the public.
The module allows cities and agencies to create a digital public safety program where businesses, public institutions and residents can enroll to assist with investigations. Once participants have registered their cameras, detectives can rapidly locate cameras near investigations and request recordings to facilitate evidence collection. Recordings are provided voluntarily by participants and are sent back to the authorities through a secure web portal. Video exports from any camera system can be shared, so business owners and residents can continue to use their existing equipment without incurring any additional costs to participate in the program. Detectives can then review and preserve videos received from these requests directly from Clearance.
Learn more at www.genetec.com.
Maxxess Systems has announced a partnership with Digital Watchdog to deliver a complete video surveillance solution to help manage security threats. Unlike standalone systems for video management, this new complete solution helps organizations not only detect security threats in real time, but also to trigger immediate automated security system protocols and then follow through by taking appropriate actions in unity with their policies and tracking results to completion, according to the two companies.
This new solution brings together two key elements to create the complete solution. The first is the video surveillance system from Digital Watchdog that is designed to monitor operations more efficiently. This video technology is perfect for lobbies, hallways and other key access points. When an unusual event is detected, an alert is sent to the second key element of the system — the eFusion unified security management platform from Maxxess. The eFusion system is integrated with the video management system and can take immediate action programmed to be in alignment with company policies. For example, the system can associate an alarm event to specific cameras. If a door is forced open, the system can be set up to call cameras from the Digital Watchdog so that the security team can validate whether or not there was a break in.
Learn more at www.maxxess-systems.com.
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