OSSA joins Euralarm to accelerate IoT integration, industry harmonization

SAN RAMON, California and ZUG, Switzerland—The Open Security & Safety Alliance (OSSA), an industry body comprised of stakeholders from all facets of the security, safety and building automation space, announced it has joined Euralarm, the association of European manufacturers, installers and service providers from the electronic fire safety and security industry.

By joining the Security Section within Euralarm, OSSA will contribute valuable expertise in the domain of Internet of Things (IoT), while leveraging Euralarm’s profound relationships in the European security and safety markets.

Founded in 1970, Euralarm represents the fire and security categories by providing leadership, advocacy, and expertise for industry, market, policy makers and standards bodies. The European association aims to achieve fast and efficient standardization processes for the region and engages with European institutions on legislative and regulatory issues. Its Security Section represents the intrusion, access and video sector with a focus on surveillance.

“Digital technology is transforming how we all connect with people, places and things, and this evolution offers big, literally life-saving, benefits and possibilities to the fire, security and safety space,” said Paul van der Zanden, general director, Euralarm. “The member companies that make up OSSA are some of today’s strongest innovators and leaders within the video security and building technology categories. Sharing their collective expertise into programs we have in the works makes good sense as we together can lift up the same industries to benefit those we work hard to serve, save and protect.”

Through OSSA, Alliance members work together to drive an open platform principle and philosophy to harmonize the security and safety marketplace and fuel innovation beyond the limits of a single organization. Founded in late 2018, members to date have made great strides in laying the foundation for IoT openness within the security and safety markets, starting with video security cameras.

Significant markers include the introduction of the OSSA common Technology Stack and two resulting specifications, the introduction of the first OSSA-inspired digital marketplace, and the newly unveiled “Driven by OSSA” designation for the first commercially available video security devices based on the Alliance philosophy and purpose.

“Our Alliance was founded to enhance trust and enable innovation and value for security industry stakeholders and customers, and along this journey toward an open ecosystem platform, we’re always interested in combining efforts with fellow associations where there’s shared vision and synergy,” said Johan Jubbega, OSSA president. “In cooperation with Euralarm, we can bring OSSA’s platform and IoT experience to other areas in the security and safety market and speed up innovation in the industry together.”