Google Glass Is Being Beta Tested In New York Police Department

Posted by dtaitano 10:19 pm Categories: Video Analytics. Tags: , .
Google Glass is Being Beta Tested in New York Police Department

Google Glass is Being Beta Tested in New York Police Department The New York City Police Department ’s intelligence and analytics unit is testing out Google Glass to determine if it’s a fit for investigating terrorists and helping cops catch criminals. According to VentureBeat , the department recently received several pairs of the glasses to beta-test. A Google spokesman told VentureBeat that the NYPD likely got their glasses through the Google Glass Explorer program, where people interested in buying them must apply, and then wait for their application to get accepted or denied. Those who get accepted must then play the $1,500 price tag to acquire them.  The NYPD might take advantage of the wireless facial recognition software. Google Glass could help with matching suspects’ faces to information in numerous police databases and federal law enforcement agencies. For example, this would give investigators a way to see a suspect’s criminal record while interviewing them. Various liberty groups have spoken out against the department’s intended usage, as it could potentially violate the privacy rights of innocent citizens, while other law enforcement officials state that the glasses’ ability to “spy” on suspects is limited. However, the NYPD remains optimistic. “We think it could help impact patrol operations in New York City,” one NYC law enforcement official told VentureBeat . “We shall see.” [via Venture Beat ] Stay Connected with Follow Tags: nypd , google , google-glass , beta

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The Hyperspectral Era Has Already Begun

Posted by dtaitano 9:29 pm Categories: Technologies. Tags: , , , , .
Opinion: the hyperspectral era has already begun

February 06, 2014 // Peter Clarke Opinion: the hyperspectral era has already begun Research institute IMEC, a pioneer of hyperspectral imaging, is helping roll out the technology in high-end markets but we should not lose sight of the fact that hyperspectral imaging is already in use in very high volume in consumer market The hyperspectral era has begun and it seems likely that CMOS image sensors are about to embark on classic S-shaped adoption curve for the addition of infrared to visible light sensing. IMEC developed a set of filters to sit on top of a commercially available CMOS image sensor in 2012. And the research has continued to make progress through 2013 and 2014 with IMEC able to define 100 bands across the visible and near-infrared parts of the spectrum from 600-nm to 1000nm wavelength. However, that work by IMEC may have given the impression that complex hyperspectral imaging is aimed at high-value applications in space, in defense, in industy, in agriculture, medical and surveillance applications (see The future of video surveillance is hyperspectral ). It used to be the case that technologies that started off in high value, low volume applications would, over many years, gradually increase volumes and reduce in price due to economies of scale and manufacturing amortizations and trickle down to consumer electronics. But things move a lot faster in the 21st century and hyperspectral imaging is already in use in very high volume in consumer markets. In that regard we must look to […]

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Spanish Researchers Sniff Out Emerging Biometric Modality

Posted by dtaitano 9:20 pm Categories: Biometrics. Tags: , , .
biometrics

February 6, 2014 –  Researchers at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, along with the Ilía Sistemas company, are currently developing a new biometric modality that’s existed in the animal kingdom long before now: body odor. The research of the Group of Biometrics, Biosignals and Security (GB2S) of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) in collaboration with Ilía Sistemas SL  has found that there are recognizable patterns of each person’s body odor that remain steady, which allows for identification with 85% accuracy. The researchers are also quick to point out that there is no criminal stigma attached to body odor identification, as there is to fingerprints and the nature of this kind of sensing could be quite uninvasive. “Identification could be at the same time when crossing the system stall,”  the researchers say of a potential B.O. –sensing system installed somewhere like a train station or airport. Body odor can vary considerably, but the research carried out by the group of the GB2S of the UPM showed that during the analysis of 13 people in 28 sessions, recognizable patterns in BO make identification possible with an rate error of 15%. Sensors designed to smell people are increasingly sophisticated, but still can’t hold up to the accuracy of a dog. That being said, a system developed by the Ilí  Sistemas SL company used in the trials, “has a high sensitivity to detect volatile elements present in body odor.” Developers are increasingly looking to other quantifiable measures for biometric identification, and body odor […]

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Axis Communications Announces U.S. Expansion Plan

Posted by dtaitano 2:45 pm Categories: IP Cameras.

Axis Communications Announces U.S. Expansion Plan To Strengthen Local Resources For Its Partners And Customers Axis Communications Announces U.S. Expansion Plan To Strengthen Local Resources For Its Partners And Customers Search quickly: You could use mouse crossed, get unlimited reading. vertmarkets.com 2014-02-05 07:12:18 Expansion Plan enables Axis to get even closer to partners and joint customersvia Business Area officeswith unique Axis Experience Centers openingacross the U.S.; Plan builds upon the 30-year-old company’s long-term growth strategy whilepromoting from within and attracting local talent throughout North America Axis Communications, the world leader in network video, announces itsU Follow-up report to me Any reported complete Just news photo Just video .S.Expansion Plandesigned to bring Axis even closer to its partner network and end-customerswhile intensifying local resourcesto meet demand in the fast growing physical security market. The Expansion Plan, which went into effect January 1, enables Axis to remain nimble while scaling to meet partner needs during this growth period. Six Business Areas, One Goal: Closer to the customer Axis has designated six U.S. Business Areas: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, South Central and West. Operations that thrive on regional knowledge and face-to-face interaction will move to each Business Area – including sales, field sales engineering, local event marketing and Axis Communications’ Academy training – to provide partners with maximum local support and business resources. Additionally, each Business Area will have a dedicated customer-facing office complete with its own unique Axis Experience Centerto provide an interactive environment that best showcasesthe full range of Axis’ […]

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Minsk Airport Secured With CEM Systems AC2000 Security Management System

Posted by dtaitano 2:19 pm Categories: Access Control, Airports / Seaports / Railroads, VMS Software. Tags: , , , .
Minsk

By CEM Systems NewsDesk on February 6, 2014 Airport utilises CEM AC2000 access control and software modules to heighten security  CEM Systems, part of the Security Products business unit of Tyco, can today announce they have secured Minsk Airport , Belarus. CEM’s powerful and flexible AC2000 access control and security management system has been installed at the Airport to provide the highest level of security.  The system was installed at Minsk Airport by CEM Approved Reseller Unibelus. Minsk National Airport is the main air gateway to the Republic of Belarus and occupies an advantageous geographical location as it is situated at the intersection of the biggest main lines connecting Western Europe with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).  Minsk Airport has a capacity of 2 million passengers per year. “In selecting AC2000, Minsk Airport have chosen an access control and security management system that has a long and established record at some of the world’s most prestigious airports. CEM has a history of understanding the security requirements and needs of airports and the industry leading CEM AC2000 system has been used to secure airports for over 20 years” said Philip Verner, EMEA Regional Sales Director, CEM Systems. The powerful CEM AC2000 system has a proven record as one of the most reliable and resilient security solutions available.  It not only provides Minsk National Airport with advanced access control and system failover, but also a range of software applications to enhance the Airport’s onsite operations and increase business efficiency. Using […]

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Arecont Vision Guards The Hub Cargo Facilty In Hong Kong

Posted by dtaitano 11:09 am Categories: Customer Implementations, IP Cameras. Tags: , , , .
Arecont Vision

Tecnologie e Servizi // Case Condividi As one of the world’s largest express delivery companies, TNT Express moves 4.7 million parcels, documents and pieces of freight every week to more than 200 countries. TNT Express operates air and road transportation networks in Europe, China, South America, the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. To more efficiently manage shipping operations in the Asia-Pacific area, TNT Express Worldwide (HK) Ltd. in Hong Kong opened a new 70,000-square-foot hub facility. TNT Express Worldwide needed a surveillance system to heighten security efforts at its new hub facility in Hong Kong.   When reviewing video surveillance alternatives, the company prioritized high resolution and superior image quality for identification and incident detection. TNT Express also favored using fewer cameras for greater system efficiency, and had the need to include remote monitoring / camera setting management capabilities. The project ADT Security designed an IP-based networked surveillance system and performed the installation for TNT Express as part of new construction. According to Tyn van Amelsfoort, regional security support manager at TNT Express Worldwide (HK) Ltd., TNT Express had evaluated several megapixel cameras related to another project with ADT Security, enabling a quick decision to go with Arecont Vision for the new facility.  Willie Hong, Senior Sales Engineer of ADT Hong Kong Limited, said TNT Express chose Arecont Vision megapixel IP cameras for their outstanding resolution and as a means to “future-proof” the system for future expansion. Arecont Vision’s 5-megapixel (MP) AV5115DN MegaVideo® Compact cameras are installed at high […]

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Pines Cop Accused Of Stealing Pricey Watch After Jewelry Store

Posted by dtaitano 11:04 am Categories: Surveillance. Tags: , , , .
Kevin Burgs (Source: Broward Sheriff

Kevin Burgs (Source: Broward Sheriff’s Office) PEMBROKE PINES (CBSMiami) – Security cameras at a Pembroke Pines jewelry store captured not one but two burglaries this week, the second one caught a police officer stealing a expensive watch during the investigation of the first burglary, according to police. During the investigation of a burglary at Jared’s the Galleria of Jewelry on Pines Boulevard, the Pembroke Pines Police Department learned that Officer Kevin Burgs, 36, took a watch valued at $795.00 from the store, according to a statement from the department. The reported theft was captured on the store’s surveillance video cameras. Burgs was arrested Thursday and charged with Grand Theft. Burgs, a nine year veteran of the Pembroke Pines Police Department, has been placed on suspension with pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation. Police were called to the store Wednesday morning after a couple of cat burglars broke into the store overnight and got away with $75-thousand worth of jewelry. The two burglars got into the store by cutting a hole in the roof. Once inside, they smashed the glass cases and grabbed the high-priced goods. A roofer who patched the hole said this was not a haphazard job. ”They had to bring a battery powered saw up there. They knew there was going to be corrugated metal, they knew how to cut it, like they cut it perfectly square,” explained roofer William Natale. Police said the crooks were dressed in all black and wore masks.  In surveillance […]

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Cisco And AGT Form ‘Smart City’ Global Alliance To Transform How Cities Are Managed And Secured

Posted by dtaitano 7:37 am Categories: City Surveillance. Tags: , , , , .
cisco

SAN JOSE, CA–(Marketwired – Feb 5, 2014) – Cisco ( NASDAQ : CSCO ), the worldwide leader in IT, and AGT International, a global leader in city solutions, today announced a Smart City Global Strategic Alliance that will deliver the promise of the Internet of Everything (IoE) through edge analytics and cloud technologies that dramatically change the way cities are managed and safeguarded. The combination of intelligent networking, virtualized computing and video management software from Cisco and smart city software platform, sensor gateway and analytics from AGT will provide cost-effective and efficient delivery of services that enhance the daily lives of citizens and improve urban services — from transportation and healthcare to utilities infrastructure and disaster preparedness and personal safety. Wim Elfrink, executive vice president, Industry Solutions and Chief Globalisation Officer, Cisco, said : "Today, 99 percent of the physical world is not connected to the Internet. However, cities are the epicenter of the Internet of Everything, where people, things, data and processes can be connected to deliver new and amazing value. Think about the possibilities. It is a vision we can realize today through the unique combination of Cisco’s unparalleled networking and computing technology and AGT’s cutting-edge smart cities platform. With its recognized leadership in software and analytical solutions that improve everyday life, AGT is an ideal partner to transform city management." Mati Kochavi, CEO, AGT, said : "The Cisco and AGT alliance brings a holistic view of urban ecosystems, which are being challenged by dramatic growth and […]

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Video Surveillance For Construction Sites

Posted by dtaitano 7:29 am Categories: Surveillance. Tags: , .
construction_site_surveillance

If you are a construction site owner then you are likely to understand the specific set of issues related to construction business. There are bound to be solutions specific to this industry & the range of issues could include theft of raw material like compressors, tools, generators, wires, lumber, fixtures, copper pipes, steel etc., vandalism, union issues, accidents, planned notoriety and more. The ease of stealing unprotected material that sells or re-sells at good value is the encouraging factor. People in surroundings do not smell the rat if the material is being loaded onto a ferry vehicle. To take charge, it is advisable to install a video surveillance for construction site that could act as round the clock vigilance eye, roving to each corner of the facility and recording anything that should not have been there. This statement holds true multifold if you have many sites under construction simultaneously. Having one plan for construction site video surveillance not only is advantageous but is easy to manage. Features of a good video surveillance system are: Easy installation: A moment’s notice is what it takes to deploy the system anywhere and anytime at the site. Video system is self sustaining: Construction site security camera system is self sustaining for the want of power, security, communications and video quality. Motion detection and video recording: The camera takes perfect videos even during motion, and saves it marked with date and time for easy reference, storage and viewing. Remote accessibility to video: Due to […]

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Security Scans May Mean Delays At Military Gates

Posted by dtaitano 7:20 am Categories: Access Control. Tags: , , , .
military_gate_guard

Naval Station Mayport is adding an additional Security measure to its gates and it may be an initial delay to getting on the base. The Navy Access Control Management System (NACMS) Handheld Scanners have been re-issued to Naval Station Mayport for use at the station’s Entry Control Points (ECP’s), such as the main gate at Mayport Road and Gate 5, off of SRA1A. The scanners have the added capability to scan, read and authenticate DoD Common Access Cards (CAC), DoD Retired Military IDs, and DoD Dependents IDs, along with RAPIDGate credentials. Initial scanning of an ID Card or RAPIDGate credential may take 15-20 seconds to complete, however, once an ID Card or RAPIDGate credential is scanned, all scans afterwards should only take around 5 seconds to complete. To reduce traffic back-ups and delays, personnel are asked to plan an extra 15-20 minutes in their morning commute during the next 3 to 4 weeks while the scanners work to effectively scan each and every credential and ID card.

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WavestoreUSA Releases Latest Version Of Its Video Management Software: V5.42

Posted by dtaitano 7:14 am Categories: VMS Software. Tags: , , , .
wavestoreUSA

Published on 5 Feb, 2014 WavestoreUSA, a provider of professional digital video and audio recording solutions for video surveillance applications, recently announced the availability of the newest version of its video management software, V5.42. This release delivers new functionality, further empowering organisations to achieve higher levels of awareness and quicker response using a streamlined software platform. The highly integrated software suite dramatically facilitates operator workflow, saves time, reduces costs and significantly simplifies system management and operation, providing users with the confidence and flexibility to ensure a safe environment. Surveillance users can leverage a new Quickfind timeline slider to easily access valuable video data for investigations. One of the key benefits of the Wavestore VMS is customisable camera layouts that allow video images to be configured and displayed in a large variety of sizes, formats and positions. Flexible to support a range of camera resolutions, the client software provides the option to switch from a traditional layout (i.e. 2×2, 3×3 or 4×4) to a free-form structure that enables each operator to configure their own favourite camera layouts and save them. V5.42 provides the ability at logon to recall the last layout viewed or one of the saved layouts automatically by user.  V5.42 is ONVIF Profile S conformant and additional options are now supported, including event streams and auxiliary output controls. The updated version of V5 also includes support for MOBOTIX audio talkback (bi-directional audio), customised camera drivers for Oncam Grandeye Evolution devices and enhanced optimisation for Arecont Vision cameras. "Customers […]

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Avigilon Promotes Engineering Leader And Expands Executive Team With Seasoned Experts In Key Departments

Posted by dtaitano 10:28 pm Categories: Corporate News. Tags: , .
avigilon

VANCOUVER, Feb. 5, 2014 /CNW/ – Avigilon Corporation ("Avigilon") (TSX:AVO), a leader in end-to-end surveillance solutions, today announced the promotion of Danny Kam to executive vice president of engineering and the expansion of Avigilon’s executive team to include: Joel Schuster, vice president of legal and corporate secretary; Terry Neely, senior vice president of emerging technology; and Angela Baldonero, vice president of people, formerly known as the human resources department. "With the expansion of our executive team, we will continue to deliver excellent results through strong leadership and innovation," said Alexander Fernandes, founder, president, CEO and chairman of the board of Avigilon. "I congratulate Danny on his new position and welcome Joel, Terry and Angela to the team. With their leadership, we will continue to make great strides in the industry." Mr. Kam, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Neely and Ms. Baldonero will report directly to Mr. Fernandes. Danny Kam, executive vice president of engineering Since joining Avigilon in January 2013, Mr. Kam has been instrumental in the successful execution of Avigilon’s product roadmap and the expansion and development of its engineering team to support the company’s global growth. Highlights of projects completed under Mr. Kam’s leadership include: the launch the Avigilon Control Center 5.0 software , Avigilon’s high-definition cameras with LightCatcher technology , and the HD Micro Dome camera. Over the past year, Mr. Kam doubled the number of employees within the engineering department at Avigilon, implementing an effective and scalable structure with dedicated teams to support product innovation. Joel Schuster, […]

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ipConfigure Enters Video Surveillance Server Market

Posted by dtaitano 8:39 pm Categories: New Products, NVRs / DVRs, VMS Software. Tags: , .
ipconfigure

ipConfigure has announced its formal entrance into the video surveillance appliance and server market with SteelFin. Built exclusively for surveillance applications, SteelFin offers a range of configurations supporting entry-level to enterprise applications. (PRWEB) February 05, 2014 Designed to meet the high-availability requirements of video management software (VMS), SteelFin provides appliance and server solutions compatible with all major VMS manufacturers and protected by a three year hardware warranty. When bundled with ipConfigure’s Enterprise Surveillance Manager VMS, ipConfigure offers two additional years of complimentary software support and upgrades at no additional cost. Four SteelFin hardware classes are available to support a wide range of video surveillance installation profiles. The SteelFin Tiger Server line offers a small-footprint appliance supporting small business surveillance applications. With dimensions of 7.5” x 6.5” x 1.7” and a weight of 2.75 lbs., SteelFin Tiger Servers are a slim but powerful platform offering the quality and performance necessary to meet the processing and storage requirements of high quality surveillance applications in a robust, versatile chassis. SteelFin Reef Servers are designed for entry-level IP video surveillance systems. Available as a tower, 2U or 4U rack-mountable IP server, the SteelFin Reef Server offers ample memory and enhanced processing without compromising on quality or reliability. Equipped with an Intel i5 or i7 processor, the Reef delivers high performance processing with Intel’s latest Turbo Boost technology. With enterprise surveillance drives, the SteelFin Reef Server line is optimized for high-volume, long-term data storage. The SteelFin Mako Server line delivers outstanding speed and reliability […]

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New York Tests Video Analytics For Foot Traffic

Posted by dtaitano 8:47 pm Categories: Video Analytics. Tags: , , , .
foot_traffic_analytics

GCN LOGO Emerging Tech Blog archive New York tests video analytics for foot traffic Think of it as a benign Big Brother. New York City is testing a new application that analyzes video streams of the city’s streets to glean data about pedestrian traffic patterns. Data showing the flow of people can offer several advantages, say city planning officials, from helping small businesses scout new locations to enabling the sanitation department to anticipate demand for trash pick-ups.  "Our goal is to build a real-time data layer about what is happening in the physical world, where people are, by analyzing existing video feeds and using computer vision algorithms on them," said Alexandre Winter, CEO and founder of Placemeter, the company that is providing the pedestrian data to the city.  According to Lindsay Mollineaux, a quantitative analyst with the city’s Office of Data Analytics, "We had great city data on business conditions and demographics, but the one thing we really wanted were really granular, neighborhood pedestrian foot-traffic patterns." The city currently uses the pedestrian traffic data primarily to aid those interested in opening small business to determine the most promising location.  But there are many other potential applications.   "The Department of Sanitation has expressed interest in exploring further," said Nick O’Brien, chief of staff of the Office of Data Analytics.  "If they know there’s going to be more activity in an area they can be sure to get somebody out there to clear the trash bins so they don’t overflow." […]

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Russia?s Olympic Wall Of Security Surrounds

Posted by dtaitano 8:35 pm Categories: Surveillance. Tags: , , .
Russia

Russia’s Olympic wall of security surrounds Sochi Quotation from BBC News, Sochi As you drive towards Sochi along the road, you have to go through a huge concrete checkpoint in the tiny hamlet of Magri, around 60 miles (100 km) short of the city centre. For the duration of the Winter Olympics only vehicles registered in Sochi – and those with special permission – are being allowed through the checkpoint. We watched as every bus, truck and car was thoroughly searched by police officers with sniffer dogs. The checkpoint is being overseen by Russia’s internal security service, the FSB. Apart from the road, and the single railway line, Sochi is effectively cut off from the outside world. It is a long coastal strip bordered by the Caucasus Mountains to the north-east and the Black Sea to the south-west. The border crossing to Abkhazia – a region of Georgia which has declared independence – is shut to vehicles for the duration of the Games. In the sea off the Olympic Park we spotted high-speed naval boats and a mysterious ship bristling with communications masts. Named “Seliger”, it was commissioned in December 2012 and was described at the time as a “deep-sea research vessel”. The mountains are being guarded by the Russian army. The Olympics are split between the “coastal cluster” of ice rinks by the Black Sea in the Sochi suburb of Adler, and the “mountain cluster” of skiing and sliding events at Krasnaya Polyana. All along the road between […]

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Bosch Gets Milestone Systems Elite Partner Status

Posted by dtaitano 8:30 pm Categories: Integrated Systems, IP Cameras, VMS Software. Tags: , , .
BoschMilestone243

The Danish IP video management software (VMS) company Milestone Systems, has made Bosch Security Systems an Elite Partner in the Milestone Alliance Partner program (MAP). Christian Bohn, Milestone Systems VP Corporate Marketing & Alliances, says: “Our Elite program is the highest partnership level we offer in the MAP program. It represents a partner’s total commitment to achieving maximum return on investment for its customers through superior camera technology and a focus on long-term customer satisfaction with camera solutions integrated to Milestone products. Milestone Channel Partners and customers now gain the advantage of the deepest relationship between Bosch Security Systems and Milestone.” The companies say that they have put in a dedicated and targeted effort on mutual technical and commercial engagement. Milestone says it will provide even deeper integration for Bosch Security Systems’ cameras with support from the XProtect software. And Rudolf Spielberger, Head of the Bosch Integration Partner Program, says: “Our video technology focus is to deliver superior intelligence and analytics, highest quality of video images, most efficient data rates, with lowest storage requirements. And now, through this strengthened partnership with Milestone, we will bring even more unique and relevant cutting-edge features to customers – offering them new integration possibilities.”

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Super Bowl XLVIII Gets Super-Sized Security With Mobile Pro Systems And Fluidmesh

Posted by dtaitano 9:25 pm Categories: Corporate News, Surveillance. Tags: , , , , .
video surveillance trailers deployed with Fluidmesh

One of the finest features of this security program is that it’s instant; it uses radio frequency to talk to one another. No wiring is essential to connect each of the parts. Sensors for Apartments: By having an home security system installed to protect your residence consider installing motion sensors. There are two forms of detectors for sale in best home security system . The initial are motion detectors which are an excellent protection choice for apartments. The 2nd form of devices would be the PIR techniques. PIR stands for passive infrared detection. PIR program monitors any visitor’s existence. In addition they help identify all moves occurring in the apartment. PIR systems are instant and easy to install. What is the one oldest safety device? Well, it is very flexible. It can be carried on you all the time, it can be used to protect your individual physique, and it can be used to protect your house! It’s your fists! A method that causes a call for the homeowner or business owners cellular phone first. If theres no remedy it goes to the house telephone. If theres no remedy it visits law enforcement. Situations can turn life-threatening, even scarier. Our neighbors, who were my partners cousins, were murdered in a botched robbery, once I lived in another part of their state. The thieves assumed no body was home and that the house wouldbe a straightforward job. The 2 men broke in to the house one Saturday morning, and these […]

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9/11 Conspiracy Theorist Snuck Past Super Bowl Security To Interrupt Postgame Show

Posted by dtaitano 8:36 pm Categories: Law Enforcement, Surveillance. Tags: , , .

The NFL’s layers of security at Super Bowl XLVIII proved vulnerable to an expired festival pass and some social engineering. During MVP Malcolm Smith’s postgame appearance, independent journalist and conspiracy theorist Matthew Mills rushed the stage and grabbed the microphone, exhorting viewers to investigate the truth about 9/11. Mills wasn’t just hijacking a press conference, though: he had infiltrated a stadium that law enforcement hoped would be all but impenetrable. Before the event, police and the FBI had set up multiple layers of security in an attempt to identify potential terrorists, mixing plainclothes agents into the crowd and setting up hundreds of temporary security cameras in Midtown Manhattan to catch suspicious activity… Continue reading… via The Verge – All Posts http://ift.tt/1dYlJLT

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Florida Lawmakers To Consider Banning Biometrics In Schools

Posted by dtaitano 8:20 pm Categories: Biometrics, Legislation. Tags: , , .
biometric passwords

TALLAHASSEE — Polk County parents were apoplectic last year when they discovered the school district had been scanning the irises of students’ eyes without parental permission. The controversial practice might soon be banned. On Tuesday, state lawmakers will take up a proposal that would prohibit school districts from collecting biometric information, including the characteristics of fingerprints, hands, eyes and the voice. It would affect the Pinellas County school district, which allows schools to scan the palms of students’ hands instead of accepting cash in the cafeteria, and school systems that use fingerprint scanners. “We’ve been able to get kids through a lunch line for decades,” said state Sen. Dorothy Hukill, a Port Orange Republican who brought the idea to the Florida Senate. “Why do we need to take their biometric information when we know there is the potential for identity theft?” But the idea may meet resistance from local school boards, some of which want the flexibility to create their own policies. “Biometrics is coming,” said Miami-Dade School Board member Raquel Regalado, who spearheaded an effort to create a local biometrics policy this month. “It exists in the market. It will exist in our schools. It may end up being a viable way to ensure there isn’t fraud.” Broward school officials said there is no district-wide use of biometrics. The measure being considered by the Florida Legislature is part of a larger bill meant to address concerns over student data security. For years, Florida schools have used student achievement […]

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Milestone At Intersec 2014 – The Numbers Have It

Posted by dtaitano 7:55 pm Categories: Corporate News, Video Analytics, VMS Software. Tags: , , .
MIlestone14intsec

Milestone Systems, the Danish IP video management software (VMS) company, showcased its XProtect products at Intersec 2014, in Dubai. Nine Milestone Solution Partners were also exhibiting in the booth to present integrations based on Milestone software. This event showcase and local presence in the Middle East/Africa (MEA) region gave Milestone more than 19,067 visitor impressions and 3,520 visits at Intersec 2014. These numbers where measured using video analytics, where a certified Milestone Solution Partner, NetApp, had an application that captured the number of Intersec visitors passing and their age, gender and interest level in the company stand. The total number of visitors to Intersec 2014 was 24,853, meaning the firm says that it has documented a huge visitor imprint that confirms the region’s growth in interest for video-enabled solutions. Video analytics are a focus area for the firm and four of the nine Milestone Solution Partners present showed video analytics. The number of third-party integrations is now in the hundreds. Video analytics provide a tool for use in security systems, and for business applications, for example in retail and as a part of ‘smart buildings’. Peter Biltsted, Sales Director, Middle East and Africa, for Milestone Systems says: “It was a very successful Intersec 2014 for Milestone and our partners. In particular, the huge interest shown by visitors, who came from the entire MEA region, is a clear indication that the market is accelerating. We can build on this positive response to further leverage our open platform strategy and dedicated […]

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