Technology forum, kudos from Co-op, and robots

Hello – and welcome to another news-packed missive from your friendly security news vendors at info4security.com.

The first item on this week’s news agenda is our very own Technology Leaders’ Forum, organised in association with Veracity. The TLF is a specialist discussion forum which will convene to discuss the future of security. This time around the focus was on security systems and technology. Read the intro here, and then part one, part two, and part three.

Their television ads inform us that the Co-operative Group is ‘good with food’, but they’re also trying to be good with security. That’s why they ran a competition to come up with Big Ideas that they could implement. Find out who won by clicking here.

Jason McCreanney of Keyhole Security dropped by the I4S offices to show us how his Key Cam rapidly deployable surveillance camera could be set up remarkably quickly. Watch the video here.

Don’t forget to enter the Security Excellence Awards. The deadline is soon, and there are plenty of opportunities to win big at these prestigious and exciting awards. There’s kudos aplenty up for grabs! Read more about the whole thing here.

Our Song About Security this week comes from 80s favourites This Mortal Coil (not actually an allusion to a sentient slinky, apparently), who are singing all about sirens. Good work.

For real-time news updates follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/info4security and twitter.com/smtonlineeditor. And get more up to the minute news via our RSS feed.

Here’s a very odd video of a Japanese man with some unique talents/persistence. And to recover from that, here’s a video of a kitten riding around on the back of a tortoise.

www.info4security.com, www.ifsec.co.uk

The security week: Stakeholders, IP, and AC/DC

Hi there. It’s time for another weekly dose of security news goodness. Hold onto your laptops. Here we go.

First up is the UK’s Security Industry Authority, and its annual Stakeholder Conference (not a euphemism for a BBQ, more’s the pity). SMT Online honcho Brian Sims was in attendance. Here’s his report on chairman Baroness Henig’s opening presentation; SecuriGroup MD Russel Kerr on working in the private security industry; and Andrew Nicholls on the realities of buying private security services.

This week we’ve also got Jeremy Kimber from Honeywell, who suggests that the real value of IP video is only now just being found – and exploited. Read the story here.

Our old pal The Networker is back this week. This time around he’s on about public sector investment in surveillance. Check it out right here.

RapidVu says its cameras are bing installed in the homes of famous footballers (apparently there is a football tournament of some description going on at present); there’s a profile of PCL Whitehall’s John Legge; and Brian brings us a report from the Security Institute’s Annual Luncheon. It was on a boat.

This week’s Song About Security comes from inveterate rockers AC/DC. They are concerned about the security arrangements in the afterlife. They also played at Download – the metal/hard rock festival secured by Showsec. Read about their work here.

This year’s Security Excellence Awards are considered to be the single greatest awards to win ever in the history of mankind. If you miss out on entering, you’re only fooling yourself. And embarassing your friends and family. You’ve gotta be in it to win it! And so it goes.

For real-time news updates follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/info4security and twitter.com/smtonlineeditor. And get more up to the minute news via our RSS feed.

Here’s a video of some guitar playing superbness to see you through to the weekend.

www.info4security.com, www.ifsec.co.uk

The security week: Theresa May, door supervision, and leopards

Welcome to your weekly dose of security informatasticness. It’s mindbending fun. And it’s a delight to be here. Let’s newsletter!

First this week is our round-up of the very best read stories on info4security during May. This was dominated, as you’d imagine, by the news and images coming out of IFSEC. Click here to see what you missed – and find out what others have been reading.

SMT Online honcho Brian Sims has looked into new UK Home Secretary Theresa May’s policing plans. Read the story here.

Then read up on the new licence-linked qualifications for door supervisors; and hear from Luke Martyn at ADT on what small to medium-sized businesses should take into account when tackling their security requirements.

Why not follow that up with some pictures and video of newly hatched rare leopard cubs, caught on an Axis network camera at Tallinn Zoo? They are cute etc.

And top that off by reading an interview with CSL DualCom advertisement star and IFSEC stand representative Hannah Gray – who also happens to be an aspiring pop star. Check out the videos and photos here.

Don’t forget to get your entries in for the 2010 Security Excellence Awards. If you end up being shortlisted, your esteem will rise in the eyes of all of your friends, colleagues, and enemies, resulting in a feeling of goodwill, and immense power.

Our Song About Security this week comes courtesy of sometime Eagle Glenn Frey – and the Beverley Hills Cop soundtrack.

For real-time news updates follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/info4security and twitter.com/smtonlineeditor. And get more up to the minute news via our RSS feed.

And here is a gibbon taunting some tigers. (It’s more amusing with the sound down, unless you’re a fan of zany sound effects.) Also: a great gift idea.

www.info4security.com, www.ifsec.co.uk

The security week: Surveillance State, 21CN, babies and knives

Another week of security news wonderment here at I4S – let’s get stuck in.

First up is the debut of our info4security Forums – a regular feature where top industry names gather to discuss the most pressing issues of the day. This first edition focuses on The Surveillance State – Myth or Reality? You can read all about it in three parts – part one, part two, and part three – and download the full audio from the forum, in six sections, from any of those articles.

Alex Carmichael of the BSIA has written exclusively for I4S on the latest updates with 21CN, and the work the trade association is doing to make the transition as smooth as possible for its members.

We’ve got two interesting stories with video content this week. One features CCTV footage of a baby in a pram rolling onto the tracks in front of an approaching train. Scary. The other is a demonstration from PPSS of its new cut, slash and bite protection fabric. The video includes some large blades, but sadly no biting.

There’s advice from The Networker on IP surveillance in extreme conditions; and from Iain Cameron, on remote video monitoring.

Also in the news this week were the boiler thieves foiled by SitexOrbis; Hikvision has debuted on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange; a new worldwide risk management consultancy alliance has been formed; and 4i Security claims that it is “revolutionising the alarms industry”.

This week’s Song About Security comes courtesy of the Cold War Kids, who are actually adults.

You should totally go ahead and enter the 2010 Security Excellence Awards. Go for it. Go on.

For real-time news updates follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/info4security and twitter.com/smtonlineeditor. And get more up to the minute news via our RSS feed.

Here’s a video of a cat rocking out to some guitar. Enjoy.

www.info4security.com, www.ifsec.co.uk

The security week: Welcome to 2010 – and a look back to 2009

Hello, and welcome to our first weekly missive for 2010! It’s nice to be back. And I’m not just saying that. (Well, I am, but I am also being sincere.)

We haven’t kept quiet over the Christmas and New Year period – we’ve continued to post stories, unlike other security news sites, including two very special edition Songs About Security: one on Christmas Day, and one on New Year’s Day And this week’s security song is by Stealer’s Wheel. Check it out, why dontcha?

Today we’ve also got the countdown of our top 10 best read stories of 2009. Can you pick the winner? Read the story and you will find out. You will!

Well-known UK industry figure and Security Excellence Awards judge Peter French has received an MBE in the 2010 New Year Honours list. Congratulations, Peter!

Also on the site is our latest Bench Test. This time we’re looking at the Axis Q6032-E network dome – and our reviewer is VERY enthusiastic.

Other stories include Iain’s Top 5, on hybrid systems; a retail crime surge in the BRC’s Annual Survey; and our regular advice column from the Access Control Doctor.

It’s all for your delectation. Enjoy!

Nudity, courses and internet protocol

It’s Tuesday, and you’re looking particularly foxy. Hey, no problem, you’re very welcome indeed.

When people look back on today in history, it will be remembered as the day the media talked about airport security because an element of nudity was involved. In that spirit, here is my blog post.

In slightly more clothed news today, the BIIAB has released details of some new qualifications available for security officers and public space CCTV operators. Educational.

And the excellently-named Lodewijk van Ommeren says there are many advantages to the latest generation of IP alarm systems. Lovely.

There’s more IP stuff today – IndigoVision’s Barry Keepence on storage; CCTV Center’s roadshows; TDSi on 21CN testing – it’s all there.

And don’t forget the Security Excellence Awards take place next Thursday. You’ll be able to get live updates by following my Twitter feed – and of course all the winners will be up on I4S before the end of the night. Fantastic. Fantastic indeed.

www.info4security.com, www.ifsec.co.uk

Recruitment security, a new van, and smart alecs

Hi there, sweetcheeks. It’s time for today’s security news missive. Let’s get informed.

First up is a piece on the security issues surrounding recruitment. It’s some important stuff, y’see.

Then there’s this all-new surveillance-equipped prisoner cell van. Check it out. It seems good, for that sort of thing.

Recently, smart card smart alecs gathered in Royal Holloway, London, to conduct some high-level smart card business. Seems smart.

Feel free to investigate some IP border cameras; cutting theft at the renowned House of Fraser; and the new boss of BOSS. It’s delicious news!

Did you know? The Security Excellence Awards are just around the corner. Who will win? You’ll find out first on info4security.com. Yes you will.

Heck! www.info4security.com, www.ifsec.co.uk

The security week: The wild west edition

Yeehar, pardners. It’s time to saddle up etc and mosey or somesuch into The Security Week. Giddy up.

First cowpoke off the rank (I believe this is the correct expression) is London’s Metropolitan Police, who are launching their PREFIT Forum today, to aid in reducing employee theft.

There’s also a bunch of chaps in this company, UKB Security, who are claiming that the recession has actually boosted sales of domestic security gear.

Our new apothecary, the CCTV Doctor Enser, is fixin’ to help folks with his video advice – this time on image resolution.

And our Song About Security this week comes courtesy of wild young gunslinger Jimi Hendrix. If he was wearing spurs he’d probably use them to play his guitar with. Or something.

Taking our CCTV End User Survey is like striking gold on your own claim. If by ‘gold’ you mean ‘the potential to win £200 worth of Marks and Spencer vouchers’.

And winning a Security Excellence Award is like being elected mayor, or sheriff, or some other glamorous role, in a really cool town full of lovely ladies and groovy cowboys and horses and all that other stuff. It’s good.

I’m going to ride off into the lunchtime sunset and start moving house. Enjoy the weekend, hombres.

Go for it!!!! www.info4security.com, www.ifsec.co.uk

Financing, an award, and party cops

It’s interesting to see the differing approaches companies are making to trading in these increasingly difficult economic times. Today we’ve got a story about Siemens Building Technologies Security Solutions introducing new financing packages for customers.

Some companies continue to win prizes, even amidst the financial turmoil. Security Excellence Award-winner IndigoVision has walked away with a Scottish export award. Actually, they were given it. They didn’t just grab it off a table and walk away. That’s not what I was suggesting.

There’s also a new H.264 megapixel dome camera release from IQinVision, which that company claims is “the first fully-integrated, vandal-resistant megapixel dome camera line on the market”. Impressive!

I’ve been reliably informed that the so-called ‘festive season’ is well and truly upon us. Evidence for this comes in the form of photos from Milestone’s Christmas bash, which includes imagery of dressing up and getting on down.

In other excellent news, tomorrow is Friday. Hooray!

A small bird said these are good: www.info4security.com and www.ifsec.co.uk. Truly.

Training training training

We’ve gone skills and training crazy today on the internet’s favourite and most charming security website, info4security.com. Why? Because that’s what’s happening. That’s why.

First up is the actually the first article in a series of interesting reports and presentations direct from the 2008 Skills for Security conference. Today, Guy Mathias looks at whether training really has improved. What are his conclusions? You’ll need to go ahead and read the article to find out. It’s quite easy to do so!

Before today I was unaware that I was not an accredited person. That seems sad. But it’s not really. An Accredited Person is actually someone that the Association of Chief Police Officers allows to do certain things – and now there’s a fast track course for licensed officers to achieve this status. ACPO!

There’s also some detail about SEA winner Scyron being taken under the wing of software behemoth Microsoft in a mutually beneficial deal. That’s nice.

Don’t forget that the Next Generation CCTV conference is happening today, so we’ll have some interesting – nay, thrilling! – bits and pieces of news and opinion from that particular event up on the site soon.

It’s your right to visit these here world wide websites: info4security, and IFSEC. Right!