Archive: August 2019
Despite privacy concerns, readers bullish on biometrics
August 23, 2019Paul Ragusa
YARMOUTH, Maine—With the debate on biometrics and data privacy heating up, and more and more states seeking to regulate the collection, use and retention of biometric data, this month's News Poll focuses on the future of biometrics and its role in security.Interestingly, despite privacy concerns, readers are bullish on biometrics. While a whopping 94 percent of respondents feel there should be biometric laws in place, an overwhelming number, 76 percent, think facial recognition will continue...
Roundtable discussion: security system lifecycle considerations, effectiveness and cost control
August 23, 2019Frank Pisciotta
A substantial focus of the security industry is on the selection and installation of security systems, and there is no doubt that this is a critical element of the process. However, in order to ensure that security systems such as access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection and panic alarms deliver on “game day,” an equal if not greater emphasis has to be put on the actions that are taken after the installers have closed the doors on the truck and driven away.This article...
ADT announces new brand direction
August 23, 2019SSN Staff
BOCA RATON, Fla.—ADT announced it is transforming its brand to highlight its diverse portfolio of products and solutions.ADT believes that everyone deserves to feel safe in every aspect of their lives and considers each customer's unique needs by asking a distinctly personal question: “What do you want to protect?”“At ADT we know that security extends beyond the front door, and as the #1 smart home security provider we continue to innovate and develop the best solutions for...
American Defense Systems acquires Direct Protect Security and Surveillance
August 23, 2019SSN Staff
DALLAS—On Friday, August 16, 2019, American Defense Systems of Dallas acquired Direct Protect Security and Surveillance out of Costa Mesa, CA. Direct Protect has provided smart home solutions to residents and businesses in over 13 states for approximately 10 years.Matt Leibelt and James Melad, principals of Direct Protect, met in the mortgage industry in the early 2000s. After working in a different industry for a number of years, they reconnected to work in the home security space. Leibelt...
Why seeing a star on your driver's license is a good thing
August 23, 2019Ginger Hill
I remember in elementary school those little gold, silver, red, green and blue foil star stickers the teacher would put at the top of my paper, each color reflecting my grade: gold for the perfect score of 100; silver for 90s; blue for 80s; and green for 70s. If I saw a red star, just forget it, because that meant redoing the whole assignment, usually DURING recess, or when I got home from school DURING my favorite TV shows — Woody Wood Pecker, Tom & Jerry and Heathcliff.
Let's see if...
Is in-home delivery driving security spending?
August 23, 2019Paul Ragusa
Anyone who has fallen victim to the dreaded “porch pirates” can understand why the current smart home trend of in-home delivery of packages continues to catch on. Nothing sucks more than having video footage — from a video doorbell or camera — of someone grabbing your goods off your stoop and having no power to do anything about it.
It is this convergence of technology and convenience that is driving interest in, and spending on, security. In fact, nearly half of consumers...
Johnson Controls has big plans for Tyco Cloud
August 21, 2019Paul Ragusa
MILWAUKEE—Johnson Controls recently unveiled Tyco Cloud, a new cloud-based security suite developed to help customers move costly and complex security infrastructure for access control and video surveillance to the cloud.
With Tyco Cloud, Johnson Controls said organizations can reduce costs, improve enterprise security management and scale security operations on demand, allowing users to protect lives, assets and facilities through management of access control, video surveillance and other...
Specifically Speaking with Nicholas M. Stefantsiv
August 21, 2019Paul Ragusa
What's your role at the company?I design and manage any low voltage systems in our Boston office projects, and collaborate with all of Bala's Technology Systems group team members in other offices.What kinds of systems do you design/specify and what services does the company provide?Bala's Technology Systems group designs telecommunication and structured cabling systems, electronic security systems and audio-visual systems. On the electronic security side, we design access, intrusion and video systems....
COPS Monitoring promotes Eric Scrivana to newly created management position
August 21, 2019SSN Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J.—COPS Monitoring, a provider of wholesale professional alarm services in North America, announced the promotion of Eric Scrivana to the newly created position of Operations Project Manager.In his new position based at COPS' NJ National Headquarters, Scrivana will focus on maintaining high quality and consistency of services at each of the 6 locations in COPS' award-winning network of six UL listed monitoring stations.“With sustained yearly double-digit growth for nearly...
5 important facts you need to know about the Texas-based ransomware attacks
August 21, 2019Ginger Hill
Whomever is the culprit for all these ransomware attacks on local U.S. government entities sure is getting a ton of notoriety in the media. With 22 reported and known public-sector attacks so far this year, and none tracked by the federal government or FBI, according to CNN, I say, the more information available the better for those needing to protect themselves.
The most recent ransomware attack happened in my home state of Texas against 22 small-town governments, and while our “Don't...