Exciting truck crash video!

Today, I’m pleased to announce, we feature a video of a truck crashing into a thing – at high speed! Yep, it’s true. The thing is an ATG Access bollard. Find out how the truck fared by looking at the story and video…

Cooperation’s a lovely thing. So it was splendid to read today that the PSIA, which is just trying to help IP media devices to get along, has released its API specification for public use. How nice!

Here is a moving story: CCTV distributor Security Solutions is relocating its South London branch.

In these uncertain economic times, it’s good to know that some positives can be found. In a sense. A Plimsoll report suggests that the time is ripe to acquire security installation companies. Bold!

Hey, I’ve heard there’s a conference going on at IFSEC 2009 in May! Allegedly it is called the IFSEC Conference 2009. Which makes sense, I guess. Anyone fancy going? You should. It would improve your public standing and enhance your credibility. Also, it’s a valuable learning opportunity. Yes indeedy!

Ahem: www.info4security.com, and www.ifsec.co.uk.

Armed Forces and fire stations

If you have military experience, and are keen to use your experience in the security field – well, you’re reading a fortuitous newsletter. Why? Here’s why. It’s a story about a guide to getting into security jobs for people who used to be in the armed services. That’s why!

Elsewhere, Bosch is offering free licences with its Divar XF recorder. That’s mighty nice of them.

Also, Salto is going to IFSEC. And it’s going to launch some products there. That’s right. Product launches!

And on an afternoon when I can see a building on fire in London from my office window, here’s a story on mobile phone networks in the Persian Gulf being protected from – yep – fire.

Don’t forget the IFSEC Conference 2009. That’s where there’s talking and listening and networking and tea and coffee and possibly biscuits. The topic? Security. That comes as no great surprise!

So, to this and this: www.info4security.com, and www.ifsec.co.uk.

Cooperation, opinionation, inebriation

It’s always great to see people and companies getting along, so it’s with excitement today that we report on Lilin joining the Onvif group in order to come up with network interoperability standards. Cooperation!

It’s time again for our SI Editor’s View, wherein Security Installer editor Alan Hyder extracts the opinion sword from his analysis scabbard, and does some full-on metaphorical smiting to a raft of issues – including, for the first time on I4S, an imprisoned Nigerian goat.

What better way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day than with a story about security staff in Birmingham being SIA licensed – and in time for the city’s premature weekend parade, to boot? Answer: There is no better way. Reading this story is the optimum way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Some genuine Irish people agree.

Elsewhere, Dedicated Micros has got behind a prostate cancer charity by sponsoring Mt Kilimanjaro climbers; and cybersquatters are continuing to prove a problem, according to the UN. The UN!

Don’t forget to involve yourself with the IFSEC Conference 2009. It’s got an interesting and diverse agenda. Some people believe that if you fail to attend this conference, some kind of ancient curse will be placed upon you. It seems unlikely, but it’s probably not worth risking it.

Schwing! www.info4security.com, and www.ifsec.co.uk. Jiminy!

Springtime for apprentices

Astonishingly, the sun is shining outside I4S Towers today – and there appears to be some warmth happening as well. What? Could this be spring?

It’s certainly a time for the rebirth of the 2009 Apprentice Skills Challenge, the apprentice installer skills competition that takes place at IFSEC each year. It’s ten years old in 2009. Cripes! We’ve also got the rundown of Sony’s IFSEC preparations.

Football fans and CCTV technology have been familiar ruckus-buddies for some time now. A new CCTV van equipped by TSS is the latest development in this fine tradition.

If you’re in London, or head there regularly, and you have a nose for spotting suspicious, terrorist-like behaviour, the Met Police would love to hear from you. They’ve just launched a new campaign encouraging folks to keep their eyes peeled.

In other news, it looks like India’s on course for widescale IP uptake; and we’ve got some advice on getting involved with gate automation and access control.

Then, go ahead and register for the IFSEC Conference 2009. It will make you look like a better person in the eyes of your friends and colleagues. And although your family have no choice but to love and accept you, they will find it easier if you have been an IFSEC Conference delegate. It’s the way of the world.

That’s right: catch a load of www.info4security.com and www.ifsec.co.uk.

The security week: Killing robots and surveillance lamps

Goodness me. It’s been a heck of a week here at info4security, with fascinating security news stories literally bursting out of your computer screen and intriguing your information hungry brain. If you missed any of them – well, here’s the highlights…

First things first: let’s mention the robots with machine guns. You heard me. Samsung Techwin has introduced the SGR-1, and we’ve got pictures and a video of it. Also, this week’s Song About Security is a tribute to this very machine.

Here’s some further video excitement: it’s a lady talking about an IP camera you can put in your lamp. She’s quite charming.

SMT Online editor Brian Sims tackled Northern Ireland and anti-war protests in his Editor’s View this week.

And we had more important stories in the form of a big contract for G4S from the UK Ministry of Defence; and details of Legion Group being sold to SectorGuard.

On our I4S India channel, we covered the story of the security plans for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games being stolen. And from the US of A, John Honovich looks at the impending face-off between DVRs and IP video storage.

Fantastically, there’s a story on the site today that uses the word ‘Cybergeddon‘ in its headline – and features this amazing picture.

Two more things of pressing importance: a jobs thing and an Industry Focus thing. Firstly, Jobs for Security is a wonderful – some say magical, though that might be overstating the case a little – site that you should visit if you are interested in being either an employer or employee in the security industry. Go there and explore this delightful kingdom of potential work. Industry Focus: this is the amazing feature that appears to the right of stories on I4S. It’s contextual info from companies with interests similar to yours. Wow! That’s snazzy.

Earlier this week, I posted a link to a song about locating cheese. Due to popular demand, here it is again.

Sims opinion, and Commonwealth embarrassment

SMT Online editor Brian Sims has pulled no punches today in his forthright analysis of the recent killings in Northern Ireland and anti-military protest in Luton. Read his arguments in his SMT Online Editor’s View.

Over on our I4S India channel, there’s a story about the security plans for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games being stolen. That’s ridiculously embarrassing!

We’ve also got the latest from our CCTV Doctor – he’s the Florence Nightingale of the CCTV surgery world, if Florence Nightingale was male, a doctor, interested in surveillance, and still alive. Today’s specialist topic: all-in-one camera/lens combos.

Another very interesting thing on info4security today is our newest piece on video analytics, courtesy of those kind souls at ioimage. However, their ignorance of the use of capital letters for proper nouns is frustrating.

Whatever you do, don’t forget about IFSEC! My superiors will assume my continual hectoring has come to nothing, and I may end up homeless, unshaven, and distraught. Possibly. Anyway, two IFSEC things: IndigoVision is running some IP roadshows; and Genie is launching all-new ranges of CCTV and access control products.

So go ahead and visit www.ifsec.co.uk, and also www.info4security.com. I need work!

SectorGuard acquires Legion; and lampshade CCTV

You know how sometimes you’re standing in your living room looking at your lampshade and you’re thinking to yourself, “That’s a pretty good lampshade. I’ve done very well in putting that thing in my living room. Except… Except…” And the one thing you’d like to see changed is that instead of a lightbulb connected to the lamp, there was some kind of IP CCTV camera. That would really set the whole room off, you imagine. Well, dream on no longer, as this magical camera is here. It’s from Throughtek, and there’s a lady on a video telling you how to use it.

Speaking of videos, if you missed yesterday’s Samsung Techwin killing robot story, you should really check it out, as I’ve now inserted their amazing, ’24’-style promotional video. Wow.

The big acquisition news of the day is that Legion Group, the oldest security and parking services business in the UK, has been sold to SectorGuard.

In the interesting picture stakes, today we present Advance Security – they’re offering an enhanced key holding service.

The recording capacity of Bosch’s Divar DVRs is now up over four terabytes; and on our I4S India channel, there are calls for security providers to be exempt from service tax.

Please don’t forget about the IFSEC Conference 2009. That thing is gonna be off the dial, bro. Or something of that nature.

A long time ago, in a cyberspace thingo just near here, actually: www.info4security.com, and www.ifsec.co.uk.

Lethal robots, SmartWater and gorillas

Robots with machine guns taking out intruders? It’s no longer the cool fantasy of a 14-year old. Lethal robots are here, ladies and gents, as Samsung Techwin are showing with their SGR-1. It’s possibly a little extreme to work in a shopping centre or something like that, though.

There’s always interest in forensic splishy substance SmartWater – today we report on its use in protecting the Tyne and Wear Metro from cable theft.

Gorillas are funny to look at. That’s a universal truth. Helping visitors to gawp at gorillas in comfort and security is Chubb, who have helped strengthen security at London Zoo’s gorilla enclosure. I was actually there recently, and have to report that I felt very safe indeed, and at no stage was I attacked by any form of gorilla or ape.

Also today, Dedicated Micros is giving away free cameras to installers who purchase its SD4 DVRs; and on our I4S India channel, we’ve got an update on security arrangements for the super-rich Indian Premier League cricket tournament.

There’s plenty more besides. You should definitely visit info4security and investigate further. Here is a short song about locating cheese for your pleasure.

Seriously, I recommend visiting www.info4security.com. Oh, and also www.ifsec.co.uk.

A technological marvel!

Normal service has resumed. I’m back in the office, and keen to pump out daily digests like a news highlights distribution machine. Let’s go!

Today we’ve got a major contract from the Ministry of Defence for G4S. Protecting the (supposed) protectors! Way to go.

Then there’s US correspondent John Honovich with his weekly round-up of security matters having an impact on the country some know as ‘America’. Informative!

AD Group – which I am reliably informed is the parent company of Dedicated Micros – has gone ahead and launched itself a YouTube channel. It’s a technological marvel!

And if you thought padlocks had got just about as sophisticated and impregnable as they were ever likely to get, well, more fool you. You really should have stopped before suggesting such a thing. Why? Well, there’s this new padlock for starters.

Did you know that IFSEC is taking place in May? It is. One of the great things about IFSEC is the way the industry’s movers and shakers get together to discuss important security matters. It’s really great. And they do it at the IFSEC Conference 2009. Be there!

Wait a minute! Don’t forget: www.ifsec.co.uk, and www.info4security.com. Phew.

The security week: Testing times, and good reads

Crumbs. It’s been a heck of a week here at info4security. Let’s just jump in and enjoy the security newsiness, shall we?

We kick off with our latest Bench Test, and this time around it’s the H.264 packin’ P3301 network dome from Axis. Assessington!

There’s also a lovely little piece on video analytics and IP and those all important keepers of the bandwidth, the network managers.

Also of note: the BSIA says that despite its best efforts, and those of the Government and Police, cash-in-transit crime is still a problem. Troubling.

For those of you interested in what other people find interesting – and let’s face it, who isn’t? – I put together a little rundown of February’s best read stories on I4S. Statistical!

Our Song About Security this week comes from the freshly rejuvenated Prodigy. But don’t worry, it’s an old one.

Holy moly! World’s greatest security show IFSEC is fast approaching. Send me your preview materials – and register for the IFSEC Conference 2009. It’s guaranteed to be one of the greatest things ever!

So. Here’s www.info4security.com, and then there’s www.ifsec.co.uk.