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Safety

Functional safety market to reach $8.9bn by 2030

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According to the recent study published by P&S Intelligence, the functional safety market accounted for $4,839.2 million revenue in 2021, which is set to reach $8,990.6 million by 2030, growing at a 7.1% CAGR between 2021 and 2030.

The report categorises the functional safety concept is applicable to a variety of businesses where modern technology in safety-related systems is vital. It ensures that the systems provide the necessary risk reduction to ensure equipment and worker protection.

Key Findings:-

  • The APAC market revenue will be over $2,000 million in 2030, which is also expected to advance at the highest rate in the coming years. With the growth of the strictly regulated industries, such as oil and gas and electricity, the demand for functional safety is surging in developing countries, mainly in China and India.
  • Because of its extraordinarily high rate of industrial output, China has a share of over 30% in the regional market. Such factors act as catalysts for the automation sector in the country. Funding is being planned to ensure growth and quality, as well as to address environmental issues and reduce overcapacity.
  • From 2021 to 2030, the automotive and transportation sector is expected to develop at the highest rate, of more than 7.5%, in the market. Numerous technical advancements in automobiles have been made in recent years, particularly in terms of safety.
  • By SIL type, systems compatible with SIL3 have the biggest share of the functional safety market, and this category will also expand at the quickest rate in the coming years. Most industrial enterprises can afford systems based on this level of safety compliance.
  • During 2021–2030, safety sensor demand is expected to expand at a CAGR of more than 7.5%. Machine safety, people security, body part protection, high-risk zone safety, and perimeter monitoring are all areas where safety sensors are employed.

Modern technologies, including AI, ML, and IIoT, are both reflections of scientific progress and enablers of further scientific progress. Such technical capabilities might provide the much-needed benefits that surpass the advantages of the manual mode, as well as a new route for the adoption of solutions based on such technologies.

IIoT is enabling safety and compliance services by facilitating analysis, monitoring, and control, as well as the practical management of physical processes, all of which aid in enhancing system performance.

Global employers urged to put overseas emergency plans in place

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The current situation in Ukraine has highlighted how quickly things can escalate and the vital need for employers with overseas staff to have an emergency plan in place in case of political or civil unrest.

That’s according to Sarah Dennis, Head of International at Towergate Health & Protection said: “Employers need to be aware of the differences between security and medical evacuation plans. They must have both in place to ensure all bases are covered and they must be aware of the level of the support offered.”

Security evacuation
International medical insurance is specifically for the sick or injured. Security evacuation is different. While a political incident could result in grave physical harm or death, it is not actually a medical emergency and is unlikely to be covered by a medical emergency plan. Any region or country in which employees are working can be at risk. Terror attacks, for example, happen all around the world and often with no prior indication. With support ranging from ‘point of incident evacuation’ and ‘political or natural disaster evacuation’, to ‘security evacuation’, it is vital to take specialist advice on exactly how to offer emergency support for employees abroad.

Evacuation and repatriation
Employers and their employees abroad should be aware that evacuation is different from repatriation. With regards to medical evacuation, for example, this means that if there are no appropriate medical facilities in the employee’s current location, they will be evacuated to the nearest centre of medical excellence to undergo care. Repatriation, however, means that the employee will be transported back to their home nation for treatment. Under security evacuation, an employee may find they are taken to the nearest safe location, rather than to their home country, unless repatriation is a specific part of the support offered.

International medical insurance
International medical insurance is also crucial for any employee abroad. It must be fit for purpose, and this will be different on a case-by-case basis. If an employee falls seriously ill abroad, it is imperative that they are fully covered for all eventualities. Travel insurance is for short holidays and is not to the level required by someone working overseas.

Local expertise
Local knowledge can form an important part of the decision-making process when sending employees abroad. Guidance from experts in country can provide an insight into the situation into which staff are being sent. They will be able to give guidance on the risks associated with an area, and help employers to make informed decisions on what support is required.

Dennis added: “Support for employees abroad is not something that a company can take short cuts on, neither is it something that should be undertaken without advice. It is a very specialist area. Hopefully, employees and their employers will never have to rely on evacuation or repatriation services, whether for medical or security reasons. It is vital, however, that both are in place in case it is needed, and that the extent of the support is fully understood.”

Five tips to manage social distancing and limit contact with doors

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Installers and specifiers are still not fully aware of the many options available to them to help manage social distancing and limit direct contact with ironmongery and doors, says the ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK&I.

In line with a recently updated guide from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and Finishes and Interior Sector, which outlines how business owners can use partitioning and ironmongery to help manage social distancing, ASSA ABLOY says its portfolio means its products can help with these issues in a number of key ways. 

“During these times, it’s no surprise that installers and specifiers are being asked about the most suitable products to fit,” says Eryl Jones, Managing Director of the ASSA ABLOY Door Hardware Group. “It’s critical to advise decision makers on practical product choices, which not only meet the needs of the here and now, but which also provide long-lasting, compliant solutions too.

“For existing hardware, the truth is nothing will beat a regular and thorough cleaning routine. However, for new installations, there are a variety of considerations that installers and specifiers will want to bear in mind when advising their customers. Here are our top ironmongery tips on how to manage social distancing and limit contacts with doors.”

ASSA ABLOY has outlined 5 top tips to help:-

  1. Seek specialist closing devices

To minimise contact with a door, many will be tempted to keep doors held open. This, however, must not be done with fire doors, but this challenge can be overcome with electromagnetic hold-open units. Connected to the building’s fire alarm system, these will automatically release in the event of a fire, helping to keep people and property safe.

ASSA ABLOY’s DC300G-HF door closer is commonly specified for these applications, with the option to not only choose hold-open but free-swing functionality too. This enables the door to operate without any resistance, so it can be left open in any position. However, just like with the hold-open feature, should a fire alarm be activated, the electromagnetic feature will release the door and ensure it’s closed securely.

2. Provide personalised keys

Users sharing keys can quickly increase the spread of bacteria and germs. An access control system that employs individual keys puts a stop to this, and simplifies key management too. Electromechanical solutions use high-end micro-electronics and programmeable keys and cylinders to overcome this challenge.

ASSA CLIQ Remote is one such system. A popular, award-winning solution, it allows all users to have their own personalised keys for doors, eliminating the need to share keys. A recent success story has been with the Hean Castle Estate, with ASSA CLIQ Remote ensuring managers stay in control of access rights across the site at all times. Another long-term benefit of the system, according to Trustee David Lewis, is its flexibility. “As the Estate expands, the ASSA CLIQ® Remote system can grow with it,” he says. “The system is now simply part of the infrastructure of the Estate; should we need more cylinders or padlocks added to it, then this is an easy and hassle-free process.”

3. Adopt anti-microbial solutions

Anti-microbial solutions, or ‘touch-safe’ as they’re often called, offer a proven way of preventing bacteria from spreading. In the current climate, it’s unsurprising that installers and specifiers are receiving an increased number of enquiries about these solutions. It’s worth noting that these products might not offer the best long-term solution, as they can lose their potency over time. Nevertheless, they are easy to install and cost-effective.

Customers might also want to consider anti-viral copper tape products, which simply wrap around a clean door handle, for a quick, temporary ‘touch-safe’ solution. For example, UNION has developed GripSafe to meet this need, which has been proven to inactivate 99.98 per cent of corona viruses.

4. Don’t forget about ancillary products

When considering ironmongery and doors, it’s can be easy to forget about other ancillary products that can help limit and mitigate the risks of spreading bacteria. If there are concerns around products that could provide surfaces where bacteria may collect, then concealed products offer an assured solution. From concealed hinges to concealed door closing devices, ASSA ABLOY has a range of products available for guaranteed peace of mind.

Another factor to think about is signage. Given the current climate, specifiers may want to consider signage relating to hand washing and sanitising, social distancing, and other measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of germs.

5. Making sure products are up to mark

While not directly relating to helping manage social distancing or limiting contact with doors, the final tip is on product marking, as it’s vital that solutions with the appropriate product marking are being specified and installed. With the new UKCA and UKNI marks introduced from 1 January 2021, it’s crucial that installers and specifiers understand the implications for products that do not have the correct marking in place. Not only will product marking be invalidated, but the potential implications for all those involved throughout the supply chain could be very serious, including significant fines and penalties.

ASSA ABLOY says it has taken all the appropriate steps to ensure its products have undergone the correct third-party marking for goods being sold into Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Those with questions or concerns around ironmongery product marking should not hesitate to contact the ASSA ABLOY team to discuss in more detail.

GUEST BLOG: Protecting students – Access control in accommodation & on campus

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By 2020 CCTV

It’s not unusual for a parent to be worried about their child when they venture off to university, especially when they’re moving out of the family home.

And a video that went viral earlier last year that recorded students at Nottingham Trent University chanting racist comments in front of the door of another student in their university accommodation (halls) — will only have heightened concerns from a parent’s perspective.

Filmed by first-year student Rufaro Chisango, her experiences were brought to the public’s attention when the video went viral on Twitter. Thankfully, with the advancements in technology and the implementation of access control systems in university halls, Rufaro was physically safe from any threat. But now, expectations must be higher to ensure that this type of behaviour, or risk, does not happen again.

Why is access control important on campus?

Access control should be an initial consideration when it comes to protecting a specific location, and there are two main functions to the systems that can be used. The first has a more basic yet effective approach and has the ability to enable or prevent someone from entering or exiting a location — this could range from the whole site, a wing of a building, or a singular room that needs protecting from unauthorised personnel.

On the other hand, the second function enables internal systems to monitor movements around the premises — which then allow security teams to conduct data trails for future audits.

When looking at university accommodation in particular, valid credentials are essential. The purpose of having such security measures in place is to help protect students from unauthorised access, which could potentially threaten their wellbeing or put their possessions at risk.

Parents and their children are entitled to have higher expectations when it comes to how secure their accommodation is, especially with an increase in fees. According to a survey carried out by Save The Student, the average cost of renting is £131 per week, which leaves students with £8 to live on after deducting the payment from their maintenance loan.

As such high costs can often leave students compromising on their lifestyle, their security should not factor into this. Although university culture does play a large part on student life, excessive and unordinary behaviour is not acceptable. It was found that 52% of students have noisy housemates, 37% of housemates steal food (considered as theft), 8% have dangerous living conditions, and an astonishing 6% have experienced a break in or a burglary.

As a result, one in three students believe that their accommodation isn’t worth the money. Now, there is a demand for larger investments into suffering areas — accommodation providers are under extreme amounts of pressure to make changes otherwise they could encounter detrimental damages that will impact them in the long run.

What are the benefits?

Whether they’re placed around campus buildings or within accommodation, access control systems have obvious advantages.  Evidently from the story above regarding Rufaro Chisango , it is critical to ensure the safety and protection of young people as unsolicited actions can be carried out without any prior detection.

Although access control is becoming more of a necessity across such locations, university accommodation providers are allowing students to become more selective with the type of flat they choose — loud or quiet, gender and more. However, there are still many faults. Universities should be looking at implementing more personal options that enable young people to properly filter down the type of roommates they are looking for — such as language, religion, race, and more to create a safer and more familiar environment for all.

But what are the core benefits?

Keys Can Be Deactivated — These keys can’t be copied once students have moved out of the complex as they will be deactivated for the next set of students. This removes the risk of any unauthorised entry and heightens the safety of the new tenant after the previous lease is up.

You Must Have Valid Credentials —If someone doesn’t have the correct credentials, they won’t be able to enter the building. As they require the swipe of a unique key card for entry permissions which are given only to students, this will make it difficult for anyone other those who are enrolled as residents to enter.

Observing Activity —Unlike old methods of monitoring who goes in and who goes out of a building, this data can be collected digitally. Using access control systems and key cards, this can all be documented and easily accessed when needed.

Limiting Access —One of the most important parts of access control is the ability to limit access and set permissions to certain users. This is particularly useful when it comes to accommodation employees such as cleaners, as their key cards can be matched with their shift patterns.

Adopting Modern Technology —Students in particular are avid users of smartphones and now, locked areas can be accessed through the use of such device as credentials are able stored safely; this is an extremely important new feature as smartphones are very rarely out of the hands of young people.

Young people deserve a safer environment to live in throughout their time at university. Are you ready to make the appropriate changes to guarantee safety? You can’t put a price on it.

Sources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-43328566

http://www.net-ctrl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/AAAC_Discussion_Paper_Students_fv-1.pdf

https://www.savethestudent.org/accommodation/national-student-accommodation-survey-2018.html

 

Guest Blog, Paul Dodds: Delivering security and privacy with video surveillance systems…

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Paul Dodds is the country manager UK & Ireland at Genetec Inc. Paul has over 14 years security industry experience across installation, manufacturing and distribution. Having trained as an electronic engineer and installer, Paul has held senior positions with Xtralis, Honeywell and ESI

With recent high profile cases in the media, it seems that the public is both increasingly aware of and concerned about the relationship between security and privacy. And while it’s often discussed as an either/or scenario, those of us in the security industry know that there are many more variables to consider than that.

After all, people are reassured by the presence of security devices like cameras and access control panels. Being aware of physical security installations can make us feel safe in locations where we might otherwise feel vulnerable. At the same time, however, no one likes the idea of being monitored while going about daily tasks.

The fact is that recent advances in technology are making it easier for us to secure our businesses, organisations and communities with new ‘privacy enabled’ encryption and masking features that also uphold our right to privacy by default.

Image masking for privacy

A really exciting advancement is ‘Foreground Masking’, a new technology that allows organisations to mask individuals in video by default. With Foreground Masking, the system captures two images. The first is a full-resolution or non-blurred image that is immediately encrypted and stored.  If the footage is ever required for an investigation, a copy of the full resolution, non-altered video data can be retrieved once the appropriate permissions have been acquired, albeit local, municipal, or federal order.

The second image is auto-redacted or blurred to obscure the identity of anyone seen on the video. Organisations can set their systems to blur or pixelate entire figures in their video footage. It is this second image that is seen by security operators or used on monitoring displays.

This advancement represents a shift in how we think about capturing video. Where once footage was broadcast as captured and then redacted after the fact to protect the identities of innocent civilians, Foreground Masking obscures identities at the source and then to provides unmasked copies only once a compelling reason to reveal them is established.

Authentication with multi-factor smart card credentials

Another advancement in security technology is the use of Credentialed High Assurance Video Encryption (CHAVE™), a protocol introduced by our technology partner Bosch Security Systems, Inc. Through the use of CHAVE™ enabled systems, like the one developed by Bosch, Genetec Inc., and Secure Experts, organisations can ensure that both live and recorded video is accessible to only a defined set of viewers.

CHAVE™ enabled systems provide secure identification and authentication through multi-factor smart card credentials. This IP video solution increases your system’s resilience against unauthorised access, malware, brute force cracking, and other exploit techniques.  In addition, it also helps to ensure privacy as only authorised and trained security personnel have access to video footage.

End-to-end encryption

A third tool that supports individual privacy by helping to maintain the security of a security system is end-to-end encryption. More specifically, this protocol is based on Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP), which hardens surveillance content against cyber-attacks and unauthorised interception.

SRTP encryption for content archiving, as well as for content in transmission between servers and their clients, protects the integrity and privacy of surveillance content from the ‘edge’, or the camera, all the way to the Archiver and Security Desk.

As the public is catching up with our concerns, those of us in the security industry have been hard at work developing tools and solutions that will deliver both security and privacy.  With new Foreground Masking technology that masks identities by default, CHAVE™ enabled technology for authenticating users and access and SRTP encryption for protecting the data from the time it leaves the ‘edge’ all the way to the archive in a security system, we are able to provide the security that organisations and citizens need while ensuring the privacy that they want.

Armed police man

Industry Spotlight – Basu: Sports fans and festival goers could become the next targets of terrorism…

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Revellers at major sporting events and festivals this summer could potentially become targets for terrorism, according to the Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner, Neil Basu, who said in a recent anti-terrorism briefing held at Wembley Stadium that sport and music venues are vulnerable due to the higher populations of people.

With festival organisers and football club executives in attendance, Basu urged bosses to step up all security solutions in the wake of recent terrorist attacks such as Paris in November last year, in addition to the current terrorism threat in the UK classed as severe by the MI5 intelligence agency.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Basu explained: “This (large venues) is where you put a small town into a small area for a couple of hours. That’s exactly the same with large concert venues and much harder to safeguard with a large open-air festival. The threat has become much more difficult to counter because it’s not potentially anytime, any place, anywhere. These people (terrorists) are perfectly happy to target civilians with the maximum terror impact. Crowded places were always a concern for us, but now they are right at the top of the agenda.”

Despite admitting that there is no specific intelligence to suggest a possible terrorist attack at a sporting or music venue, Basu did, however, mention a previous possible attack by a ‘Paris terrorist cell’, where photographs of a football stadium in Birmingham were found on a mobile phone.