The perimeter of a small and medium-sized business (SMB) property is its first line of defence against intruders. It keeps the premises away from theft, property loss and security incidents. Having said that, traditional methods of surveillance cannot fully catch up with the round-the-clock monitoring requirement of the scenario and unable to dispatch security personnel in time to handle abnormal situations, especially during night time. Backtracking to locate the cause of the event is deemed too difficult due to the lack of visual evidence. Dahua’s AI solution  To address these challenges, Dahua Technology developed an AI Perimeter Protection Solution that can realise 24/7 perimeter protection, enabling accurate detection of intrusion events, active deterrence, and notification of security personnel in time when an intrusion is detected. It also provides a clear video recording of the incident that can serve as valid evidence in case of further investigation. In terms of benefits, Dahua’s AI Perimeter Protection Solution has a variety of options tailored to the actual needs of customers based on their application scenarios: Basic: This option offers a 15-meter perimeter protection coverage and round-the-clock video recording of evidence. Advanced (TiOC): With Dahua’s Three-in-One Camera (TiOC), this option also offers a 15-meter perimeter protection coverage, combined with accurate AI-powered detection of intrusion, focusing on real threats in the monitored scene. It can perform real-time processing of events using active deterrence and provide instant notification through the DMSS app for quick response to prevent any loss. What’s more, a clear video recording of intrusion evidence is also available in case of an investigation. Advanced (Thermal + Visual Dual Lens): This particular option offers a longer perimeter protection coverage of 50 metres. It provides precise intrusion detection powered by AI, with instant notifications via the DMSS app to enable security personnel to respond in time when an intrusion is detected. For evidence, clear video footages can also be retrieved, thanks to the intelligent camera equipped with thermal and visual dual lens. Dahua’s AI Perimeter Protection Solution Topology AI-powered security solution Overall, Dahua’s AI Perimeter Protection Solution is a complete AI-powered security solution that offers 24/7 accurate detection, timely processing of intrusion events, and clear intrusion evidence in case of a security breach, making it suitable for a wide range of SMB scenarios such as factory, apartment complex, construction site, school, hotel, and more.

The Ampelmännchen (“little traffic light man”) from the former GDR is a cult figure around the globe. For tourists, the shops of AMPELMANN GmbH in Berlin are a big draw. Branches are spread over the entire city, and to reduce the burden of employee and staff key assignments, the company sought to optimise access rights management. At the same time, branch security needed to be state-of-the-art. The CLIQ® access control solution from ASSA ABLOY met all these requirements with flying colours.  AMPELMANN GmbH Founder and Owner - Markus Heckhausen sought a locking solution for eight AMPELMANN GmbH branches and a 2,200 m2 logistics centre, to meet the needs of a decentralised branch organisation.  This creative company, which manufactures and sells a wide variety of products under the AMPELMANN brand with the Ampelmännchen, did not want a complex system suited only to large companies with thousands of employees. It should be practicable and fast for a company with around 150 employees, yet still be able to secure branches reliably.  Easy administration, maximum security  Branches must be accessible to customers during opening hours, yet sufficiently secured Small and medium-sized retailers face the same access control challenges as their large competitors. Employees need access to the store, warehouse, and offices, but not every employee should have the same authority. Branches must be accessible to customers during opening hours, yet sufficiently secured after closing time against unauthorised access.  Challenges faced Key management is often an elaborate, time-consuming process, even more so when keys are lost or stolen. In such cases, all locking systems must be replaced, which requires more effort and significant costs.  AMPELMANN GmbH in Berlin also faced these issues. Its eight branches are located in the best shopping areas in Berlin, each staffed by several employees. External service providers, such as cleaners also need access to the building. A large staff roster and significant distance between branches create a major key management workload.  eCLIQ ensures branch security  Together with the Berlin locksmith Hinz, AMPELMANN Owner - Markus Heckhauen found a solution in the flexible, decentralised, and reliable electronic locking system from ASSA ABLOY.  Uli Hahn, Managing Director of Hinz, has been providing security in and around Berlin for more than 50 years. He says, "The eCLIQ locking system is very powerful and safe compared to conventional systems. It is easy to handle and to assemble. Above all, it enables quick and easy administration of access authorisations, making it the perfect choice for medium-sized companies, such as AMPELMANN."  Plug-and-play solution Keys can be programmed directly on the cylinder, remotely, or with easy-to-use eCLIQ Manager software eCLIQ comes as a "plug and play" solution and is ready to use immediately after installation. The system works without cabling, so the extremely compact eCLIQ cylinder can be used in a wide variety of doors at any location. Power is supplied by batteries in each programmable key, which can be changed easily and without tools. A built-in chip makes every electronic key unique. Keys can be programmed directly on the cylinder, remotely, or with easy-to-use eCLIQ Manager software.  Robust, durable, and safe In addition to the compact design, the system is characterised by robust, durable, and safe components. An integrated lubricant reservoir ensures the cylinders remain maintenance-free for up to 200,000 cycles. A high-quality processor protects the locking system against manipulation and intelligent attacks. Keys are also highly resistant and waterproof (IP67). eCLIQ cylinders and keys are VdS-certified (BZ +) and comply with the DIN EN 15684 standard for electronic locking systems. A wide range of different cylinder types makes the system suitable for many applications from the company's entrance gate to securing alarm systems, elevators, doors, and cupboards.  Convincing solution  "Decisive in our choice of eCLIQ was that we could control access authorisations easily and flexibly at any time," explains Markus Heckhausen, adding "If a key is lost, we can easily deactivate it and disable it."  eCLIQ even makes time- and location-limited authorisations easy for example, by allowing cleaners to enter only at certain times. The allocation of access authorisations can be coordinated conveniently by individual branch managers, within a system that ensures maximum security for all AMPELMANN GmbH shops.

Cybersecurity threats targeting organisations' industrial control systems (ICS) are not always direct. Instead, the most vulnerable entries to an ICS can start with external partners, like suppliers and vendors.  Honeywell's customer, a global pharmaceutical company, realised that potential vulnerabilities like these might be in its partner ecosystem. Therefore, the pharmaceutical company wanted to get ahead of a potential breach so they trusted Honeywell to do a thorough assessment of its suppliers’ operational technology (OT) cybersecurity gaps. Why did the customer choose Honeywell?  First, Honeywell's OT cybersecurity experts took the time to understand the customer’s processes at more than 100 sites around the globe. Second, Honeywell experts used their knowledge and experience along with the customer process insight to conduct assessments that met their unique needs. Many of the competitors are simply IT vendors dabbling in the world of OT. Honeywell, however, has the knowledge and the experience to better meet the demands of OT. The pharmaceutical company chose Honeywell over the competitors based on the quality and wealth of OT knowledge the experts provided. Spreading security The Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessment is part of a global two to three-phase project that covers over 100 sites This was not to be a small or limited undertaking. This Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessment is part of a global two to three-phase project that covers more than 100 sites. The first assessment was completed for the company’s site in India with other sites being covered in later phases. Vulnerability assessment Honeywell’s OT cybersecurity experts conducted the vulnerability assessment to help capture the customer’s control system vulnerabilities and potential weak spots. The assessment performed was a holistic technical review of the ICS infrastructure. It focused on analysing their cybersecurity processes, procedures, and safeguards to better protect their industrial control systems(ICS) from internal and external threats. Because Honeywell focuses on OT as opposed to IT only, Honeywell experts are skilled in considering the entirety of an ecosystem. This means including people, processes, and any technical issues that can impact the ICS cybersecurity posture. Digging in to reduce risks  The Honeywell team was able to holistically assess the customer’s ICS environment, documenting observations  The Honeywell team has deep expertise across IEC 62443 standards and other industry-specific guidelines, as well as invaluable experience with control systems. Because of this expertise, the Honeywell team was able to holistically assess the customer’s ICS environment, documenting observations and recommendations to help reduce cybersecurity risks. Physical site review Honeywell team first conducted a physical site review to assess to uncover issues such as control room doors left unlocked, passwords in the line of sight, and other security compliance violations. The team also reviewed the customer’s network equipment from third parties such as switches, routers, and firewalls; reviewed the infrastructure configurations; and checked installation processes. Site-specific recommendations The report detailed best practices and site-specific recommendations to help the customer help mitigate and prioritise All the vulnerabilities, severity levels, and remediation details were included in the Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessment report. The report also detailed best practices and site-specific recommendations to help the customer help mitigate and prioritise any identified threats or vulnerabilities and notes regarding how and where each step can serve as a foundation for the best practice architecture. Challenges and successes Honeywell experts remained diligent in exceeding the customer’s expectations despite the shutdown in India due to the pandemic and the unexpected need to assess and remediate assets. Honeywell also had one secret weapon: one of the OT cybersecurity experts had real-life experience in the pharmaceutical industry. This made it possible for the team to better tailor the assessment (and recommendations) to this particular customer.

In 1899, the Texas Legislature authorised the formation of the Southwest Texas State Normal School, which opened in San Marcos four years later. At the time, the school’s mission was to prepare Texas public school teachers, but over the years, it has undergone several expansions and name changes to reflect its evolution into the major multi-purpose university Texas State has become. From its humble beginnings located in a single building, Texas State’s original San Marcos campus has grown to cover a 485-acre campus that is home to 267 buildings, as well as an additional 5,038 acres of recreational, instructional, farm and ranch land. The university added a second campus in Round Rock, which has grown from 15 temporary buildings to a 101-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities. Electronic key control systems Texas State’s student population has kept pace with its physical expansion, growing from 303 in 1903 to more than 35,546 in 2013 – marking the 16th consecutive year of enrolment growth for the university. Texas State reviewed its security policies and chose the need to execute electronic key Anticipating major physical and population growth to continue into the future, Texas State reviewed its security policies and determined the necessity of implementing electronic key control systems in sensitive areas. Based on its size, the understanding was that as many as 85 of these systems could potentially be needed as part of this initiative. Aggressive construction campaign Texas State was faced with a particularly challenging growth-related issue in September 2013, as its freshman enrolment surged to more than 5,000. Like many universities, Texas State requires its freshmen to live on campus, which it sees as a tool for retention. That policy seems to be working, with approximately 80 percent of freshmen living on campus technically returning for the following semester. To accommodate the growing ranks of on-campus residents, the university has pursued an aggressive construction campaign, building a new residence hall complex every two years to house approximately 600 additional students with plans to break ground this fall on a third new housing complex. In all, Texas State spent more than $190 million on new or renovated buildings, with more construction planned into the foreseeable future. Update key management policies Maintenance staff members would often reach for the key to a particular building they needed to access With a large number of individuals requiring access to so many facilities, the university recognised that key management had the potential to become a high-risk issue and determined to become proactive in reducing that risk. Maintenance staff members would often reach for the key to a particular building they needed to access, only to find it was already checked out. They would then be forced to go through the time-consuming – and frustrating – process of determining who had the key last and tracking that person down to retrieve it. The decision was made to update key management policies and practices to make them more efficient and effective. “We’ve been especially happy with the KeyWatcher’s access and reporting capabilities, and the system’s reporting tools make reviewing events and issues incredibly simple,” Kyle Estes Associate Director of Housing for Facilities Services Texas State. Options for key management systems To combat these problems and increase the security and effectiveness of its key management, Texas State charged its University Police Department and other stakeholders with undertaking an extensive review of the available options for key management systems on the market. This exhaustive process involved gathering research from printed materials and online research, having discussions with current customers of the various vendors, and listening to on-site presentations from the companies under consideration. At the conclusion of its review of key control cabinets and systems, Texas State chose KeyWatcher Touch from Morse Watchmans. This exhaustive process involved gathering research from printed materials and online research The main factors that led Texas State to choose KeyWatcher Touch systems were its robust feature set and competitive pricing. The school was also impressed by Morse Watchmans’ receptiveness to its specific needs – a six-digit user ID, for example – and ability to implement changes quickly. Access to support was also a main consideration, so Texas State appreciated that the system was produced domestically by a company with a 130-year history. Enterprise management capability Of the KeyWatcher systems to be implemented, the largest number were to be deployed for Texas State’s Department of Housing and Residential Life, which provides housing and services to approximately 7,000 residents in 25 facilities. The department also operates a facilities service group consisting of 110 full-time employees and a staff of 170 building paraprofessionals. The department also operates a facilities service group consisting of 110 full-time employees Because of the personnel changes the department experiences on an annual basis, the system’s enterprise management capability has been a valuable feature, as have its robust reporting capabilities, says Kyle Estes, Texas State’s Associate Director of Housing Facilities Services. Having keys available in each residence hall for use by maintenance staff has made the department more efficient and reduced their liability; staff no longer need to carry multiple master keys across campus for different buildings. Centralised management features “Because the system automatically generates a log of who has each key, we’ve been able to establish much better employee accountability for key usage,” Estes says. “The ability to set a maximum duration that each key can be checked out and to receive alarms when that limit is exceeded has eliminated the problem of having keys unnecessarily checked out and as a result inaccessible when someone needs them.” Ease of use and centralised control parts fed by the system’s web capabilities All KeyWatcher Touch systems deployed at Texas State are connected to the university’s network and interface with its card access and email systems. The ease of use and centralised management features provided by the system’s network capabilities have streamlined the once cumbersome process of generating reports and reviewing incidents. One particular feature, the ability to access the system from anywhere, has made the system even more effective, Estes says. Earliest adopters of KeyWatcher Touch As one of the earliest adopters of KeyWatcher Touch, the Housing and Facilities Department served as a test case of sorts for the system. Based on the success the department has had, combined with its continued rapid growth and expansion, Texas State University’s 85-system implementation is ongoing. As more systems are added, expansion will be a consideration moving forward, but Estes doesn’t anticipate that being a problem. “We’ve found that expanding these systems is fairly easy and doesn’t involve time-consuming processes that could delay implementation of key management for particularly sensitive areas,” Estes says. “Overall, the system has been very reliable, and the support staff has been very responsive and regularly available to help resolve the very few minor issues we’ve encountered in a timely manner."