In the world of cybersecurity, ethical hacking proactively identifies security vulnerabilities before malicious actors (i.e., unethical hackers) can exploit them. By simulating real-world attacks, organisations can strengthen defences, protect sensitive data, and maintain public trust. In the physical security world, ethical hacking can transform cybersecurity of security systems from a reactive struggle into a strategic safeguard. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the role of ethical hacking as it relates to physical security?

Next-generation (Next-Gen) technologies are products, services, or infrastructures that represent a significant leap forward rather than a small, incremental update. In the physical security industry, NextGen products are those that enable disruptive change, breakthrough performance, and a fundamental change that renders previous products obsolete. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the next generation of physical security solutions, and how will they change the industry?

Emphasising proactive rather than reactive security shifts the focus from dealing with crises and damage control to prevention. Advantages of a proactive approach include cost efficiency, better business continuity, and fewer crises that draw attention away from strategic improvements. Staying ahead of threats is a core mission of the security department, and technology has evolved to enable security professionals to deliver on that mission better than ever. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How are security systems transitioning from reactive to proactive, and what is the benefit?

Multiple technology trends are transforming the physical access control market. There is a fundamental shift away from physical cards and keys toward digital identities — mobile credentials, digital wallets, biometrics, and cloud-native access platforms. These next generation access solutions are radically reshaping how buildings operate, protect staff, and perform functionally. At the same time, AI and analytics solutions are being layered onto these physical access control systems to support predictive threat detection and behavioural insights. Access data itself is becoming an asset for sustainability, space optimisation, and smart building initiatives. Risk, impact operations and experience The annual HID Global Security and Identity Trends Report highlights these and other issues The annual HID Global Security and Identity Trends Report highlights these and other issues. The survey cites improving user convenience as a priority for nearly half of organisations, while 41% are focused on simplifying administration, and 28% struggle with system integration. These are not theoretical challenges, they are day‑to‑day friction points that add cost, increase risk, impact operations and experience, and, of course, must be addressed. HID Global’s commercial focus HID Global’s commercial focus is to help organisations digitise their access control — with mobile identities, biometrics, and cloud platforms — and then to use the data to deliver more value. “We are turning access control from an operational cost into a software-driven asset that improves efficiency, supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals and even creates new revenue opportunities,” says Steven Commander, HID Global’s Head of Consultant Relations. The impact of digital transformation Digital transformation is the method of moving access control from hardware and physical credentials Digital transformation is in the process of moving access control from hardware and physical credentials to a software-driven, integrated experience. The transformation strengthens security while also improving user convenience — transforming the “pavement to the desk” journey. HID enables this shift through mobile credentials, biometrics, cloud-native platforms, and solutions that allow third-party applications to run on door hardware. “This helps customers turn access data into operational and commercial outcomes, while also improving the overall user experience,” says Commander.  Digital transformation in access control is not focused on chasing the latest trends. Rather, transformation is about turning software, data and integration into outcomes that matter to customers, says HID. “Security becomes stronger and more adaptive,” says Commander. “Operations become simpler and more cost‑effective. Experiences become seamless and consistent. Sustainability moves from ambition to action. And the financial case becomes clearer as efficiencies are banked and new value streams emerge.” The challenge of futureproofing with long lifecycles Given that physical security technologies will be in place for 15 to 20 years, it is important to plan for how systems can evolve over time. Considering how rapidly security threats, compliance standards, and user expectations change, 15 to 20 years is a long time. The decisions made at the beginning of a system’s lifecycle can either limit flexibility later (which will be costly) or enable long-term adaptability. Support for open standards such as Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) is therefore important Choosing products and platforms that are open, interoperable, and designed for updates can enable future-proof projects. Support for open standards such as Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) is therefore important.  In addition, systems built on open controller platforms — such as Mercury — enable organisations to switch software providers or expand functionality without replacing core door hardware. Architectural openness is key to system lifecycles and maximising the return on investment (ROI) from a chosen solution. Digital credentials and mobile access Flexibility and upgradeability should also be top of mind when it comes to endpoints like access control readers. While RFID cards are still commonplace, there is a clear trend toward digital credentials and mobile access. Readers that support both allow organisations to transition at their own pace, without committing to a full system overhaul. A long system lifecycle does not mean technology should remain static. Security, particularly cybersecurity, demands more frequent updates. Technologies that support firmware upgrades in the field extend the value of a deployment while helping organisations keep pace with emerging threats. In that sense, lifecycle thinking is not just about longevity — it’s about maintaining resilience and readiness over time. Applying biometrics and mobile identities Biometrics is becoming mainstream as a credential alternative, strengthening security without adding friction Biometrics is becoming mainstream as a credential alternative, strengthening security without adding friction. Many organisations are now deploying biometrics to support fast, seamless access journeys, with adoption already around 39% in access control according to HID’s recent research.  In addition, 80% of organisations surveyed expect to deploy mobile identities within the next five years. Full technology integration enables tap‑to‑access without opening an app; the user journey becomes faster, safer, and more convenient. “It is where the industry is headed and we are at the vanguard of this,” says Commander.    Ongoing challenge of cybersecurity At HID Global, cybersecurity is embedded into everything, from corporate processes and development practices to the solutions they bring to market. “Our approach ensures that customers can strengthen their overall security posture, not only by deploying secure products but by benefitting from HID’s commitment to the highest industry standards,” says Commander. HID holds multiple globally recognised certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 14298, SOC Type 2 and CSA STAR, which demonstrate their robust information security and cloud security practices. In addition, HID’s SEOS® secure chipset is independently SEAL-certified, providing one of the most advanced levels of protection available on the market today. “Ultimately, this means organisations are not just purchasing isolated secure products; they are implementing solutions developed and delivered within a comprehensive, cybersecure framework,” says Commander. “When deployed according to best practices, HID solutions enable customers to achieve the highest levels of resilience against evolving physical and cyber threats.” Developing green and sustainable solutions A huge amount of waste is generated from the manufacture of plastic RFID access cards Digital credentials align with the sustainable solutions that everyone wants. A huge amount of waste is generated from the manufacture of plastic RFID access cards. Over 550 million access cards are sold annually. This creates 2,700 tons of plastic waste and 11,400 tons of carbon, based on a PVC card weighing 5 grams.  Therefore, digital credentials self-evidently reduce the reliance on plastic cards (helping reduce carbon emissions by up to 75% according to HID’s research), while leveraging access control system data supports energy optimisation by shutting down or reducing systems in unused spaces. Energy use and CO₂ emissions can be cut dramatically, showing how access systems can contribute to sustainability goals and green building certification. What is the latest in smart buildings? Smart buildings increasingly rely on mobile access control as the backbone for digital services. Real-time access data enables new services such as automated room bookings, HVAC control, lift/elevator calling, e-bike hiring, and so on. Smart buildings increasingly rely on mobile access control as the backbone for digital services The financial upside is clear; smart, digitally transformed buildings can deliver around 8% higher yields per square foot versus traditional office space. Operational savings accrue from reduced administration, the removal of card production and shipping, and lighter IT support. This creates a value cycle — better experiences drive adoption, adoption fuels monetisation, and monetisation funds further improvements. Achieving technology impact in the real world One standout project is One Bangkok – a $3.9 billion mixed used development in Thailand – which demonstrates the scale of what can be achieved when access control data is used for optimisation, particularly when it comes to monitoring facilities usage and occupier behaviours. By switching lights off or lowering the temperature in unused rooms, for example, the One Bangkok building demonstrates this potential with a 22% reduction in energy consumption, saving 17,000 MWh and 9,000 tons of CO₂ annually.  Sustainability is a key factor in contributing to how properties are valued. And sustainability extends far beyond digital credentials having a lower environmental impact than plastic cards.  Buildings with recognised sustainability certifications often command rental premiums of around 6%, and three‑quarters of security decision‑makers now consider environmental impact in their procurement assessments.

HID, a pioneer in trusted identity solutions, is rolling out enhancements across its FARGO® DTC ID card printers, including the DTC1250e, DTC4500e and DTC1500 models, to help organisations issue secure, professional-quality ID cards faster, with less IT support and the ability to easily scale as needs evolve. Organisations that issue ID cards — from schools and healthcare systems to government offices, corporate campuses and others — need printers that are easy to operate, produce consistently high-quality credentials and keep pace with growing security requirements. The latest enhancements address each of those priorities. Growing security requirements Speed and reliability are essential for high-volume credential issuance. Printing more cards in less time with fewer interruptions, these printers have been updated with newer, faster hardware and electronics platforms. Support for high-capacity ribbons also streamlines the issuance workflow and maintains high productivity, reducing reloads and lost time. For front-desk and HR staff who issue dozens of badges a day, this means shorter lines and less time waiting on a stalled print job. “We’ve been at this for a long time. For more than three decades, organisations have trusted us to power their ID badging programs,” said Apryl Erickson, VP and Head of FARGO. “With thousands of printers in the field worldwide, we’re excited to build on that legacy by delivering enhanced solutions that provide greater value to our end users and support their mission-critical issuance processes.” Safeguarding cardholder data Card quality matters just as much as issuance speed. With 300 x 600 dpi resolution, an enhanced colour profile and adjustable K-panel printing, organisations benefit from having professional-quality ID cards that look sharper, have crisper text, cleaner logos and more accurate color. When an organisation issues credentials, they need to enhance card security and safeguard cardholder data. As such, all DTC printers offer enhanced AES-256-GCM encryption and resin scramble data protection. On the DTC1500 and DTC4500e, a built-in, customisable watermark overlay adds a layer of security at no added cost. Integrated diagnostic utility Reliable and sustainable, the enhanced DTC printers are backed by three-year product warranties, provide ongoing printer health monitoring, and are specifically engineered for efficient energy use. Organisations also need to keep operator maintenance low. An integrated diagnostic utility and Colour Assist tool are now built directly into the printer driver, so common issues can be identified and resolved without a support call. An optional OLED SmartScreen on the DTC1250e further simplifies day-to-day operation, helping non-technical staff be productive from day one with no IT ticket required. Cloud-based card printing platform Programs rarely remain static, and organisations need to scale as their needs grow without incurring the cost of new hardware. FARGO DTC printers offer field-upgradable dual-side printing and encoding options that let organisations start with what they need and add capabilities later, without having to buy new base hardware, as programs expand. These upgrades build on more than 30 years of DTC printing expertise. The portfolio also integrates with HID's broader ecosystem for access control and identity management, helping organisations expand their credentialing programs as needs evolve. The DTC1500 and DTC4500e are also compatible with FARGO Connect™, a secure, cloud-based card printing platform that provides real-time fleet visibility. Accessible entry point The enhanced DTC printer portfolio is commercially available now. Product availability for enhanced FARGO DTC1250e and DTC4500e printers is slated for late October/early November, varying by region. Enhanced FARGO DTC1500 units will follow later in Q4 2026. Building on these enhancements, HID plans to further expand the FARGO DTC portfolio later this year with a streamlined, single-sided printer designed for organisations with lower-volume issuance needs. It will not be available in the United States and Canada. It will be offered only in select regions outside these markets. The new model will bring the same reliability and ease of use while providing an accessible entry point into the broader FARGO portfolio. FARGO printers are available through HID's partner and distributor network.

Hirsch, a global manufacturer of high-assurance electronic security solutions, announces its merger with Prysm, the French software editor behind the AppVision command-and-control platform and a specialist in intelligent video monitoring. Effective 1 January 2027, the transaction will establish the new Prysm by Hirsch brand. The objective is to better meet the needs of Hirsch and Prysm customers and partners alike, including system integrators, end users, OEMs and VARs, through an even more comprehensive security offering and enhanced support delivered closer to the field. Electronic security solutions The merger strengthens Hirsch's ability to support customers and partners across the entire security value chain, from perimeter protection, access control, intrusion detection and Video Management Systems (VMS) to command-and-control solutions. It also creates a new business activity dedicated to monitoring services. This merger will ensure the long-term development and accelerate the growth and commercialisation of the AppVision command-and-control platform, which will now be marketed under the Prysm by Hirsch brand. It will also strengthen synergies between Hirsch France's security portfolio and its command-and-control offering. The move is part of a strategy that Hirsch has successfully implemented in the past, transforming the complementarity of its technologies into growth opportunities, particularly through the integration of Sorhea, Til Technologies and, more recently, Foxstream. Intelligent video monitoring Hirsch reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the continuity of the relationships Prysm has built with its OEM and VAR customers and partners. Teams, sales contacts and existing commitments will remain unchanged. The merger is designed to strengthen the resources and capabilities available to them while fully respecting the independence of their distribution model. The merger also creates a new Hirsch business line dedicated to intelligent video monitoring, led by the teams historically associated with ESI. This new activity further strengthens Hirsch's portfolio and addresses the growing market demand for dedicated monitoring services. Dedicated monitoring services “This merger is fully aligned with Hirsch’s strategy of bringing together complementary expertise to build an increasingly integrated security offering,” said Olivier Reyre, CEO of Hirsch France. “By integrating Prysm’s command-and-control and intelligent video monitoring expertise, we are further strengthening our ability to support our customers and OEM and VAR partners across the entire security value chain, from perimeter protection to monitoring services, including access control, intrusion detection, video management and command-and-control solutions.” “Joining Hirsch enables our teams and our AppVision technology to benefit from the resources and international reach of a global brand, while preserving what has made us successful for more than 25 years: our product expertise and our close relationships with customers,” added Jean-François Galtier, CEO of Prysm. “It also creates new opportunities for our international network of value added resellers to bring the full Hirsch portfolio to new markets.”

Altronix, the recognised pioneer in power and data transmission products for the professional security industry, has launched ReServ24B, an innovative automatic 24VDC transfer switch with built-in rapid battery charging designed to provide uninterrupted power and maximise system backup for critical security applications. "Power disruptions shouldn't compromise a facility's safety or stop daily operations," said Ronnie Pennington, Director of Sales for the Americas, Altronix. "The ReServ24B gives integrators an easy-to-deploy solution while providing facility managers and end users peace of mind that their access control and security systems will remain online and recover quickly." Extended battery charging This new solution supports applications where constant power is unavailable due to power switching, or when extended battery charging is required. It ensures continuous operations during a power loss by supporting two 24VDC power supplies, instantaneously transferring from the first to the secondary power input to avoid interruptions. When primary power is restored, ReServ24B automatically switches connected devices back to the primary power source while using excess available power to rapidly recharge SLA or LiFePO4 backup batteries, extending backup. This intelligent power management solution ensures 24/7 operation. It can be easily integrated into new or existing security or access control systems to optimise battery backup and improve overall system resilience. ReServ24B also includes an Altronix LINQ™ Network Management Interface, enabling remote monitoring, control and reporting via Altronix LINQ2 network communication module.

DigiCert, a pioneer in intelligent trust, announces accelerating momentum for DigiCert® Trust Lifecycle Manager (TLM), with annual recurring revenue growing 38% year over year as enterprises increasingly automate certificate management and prepare for shorter certificate lifespans and post-quantum cryptography (PQC). TLM's growth reflects a broader shift in enterprise security. Public TLS certificate maximum validity is on a path to just 47 days in 2029, significantly increasing the certificate management workload. That workload is compounded by the growing number of certificates spread across increasingly complex enterprise environments. Post-quantum transition DigiCert's 2026 Global PKI Research underscores the challenge: only 34% of organisations have a complete, up-to-date inventory of their digital certificates, while 73% are very or extremely concerned about outages caused by expired certificates. “Certificate management has become core infrastructure for the enterprise,” said Deepika Chauhan, Chief Product Officer at DigiCert. “A single missed renewal can trigger a costly outage, and shorter lifespans leave less room for error when managing thousands of certificates. The growth we’re seeing in Trust Lifecycle Manager reflects customers’ urgency to automate renewals, keep critical services running, and build the crypto-agility needed for the post-quantum transition.” Manual certificate management Leading brands around the world are turning to DigiCert Trust Lifecycle Manager to modernise how they manage digital trust, including American Red Cross, Agilent Technologies, Circle K, Hitachi, MediData, MGM Resorts International, Nokia, Schweiserische Mobiliar, and W.L. Gore & Associates. “As certificate lifespans continue to shrink, manual certificate management becomes increasingly challenging at enterprise scale,” said Kenneth Nydegger, Product Owner at Schweizerische Mobiliar, one of Switzerland's pioneer insurers. “DigiCert Trust Lifecycle Manager provides the visibility and automation we need to manage certificates more efficiently and reduce operational risk. At the same time, it helps us prepare for future cryptographic requirements and supports a more agile and sustainable security strategy.” Certificate lifecycle operations “Reliability is fundamental to the digital connections that support Switzerland's healthcare system,” said Michael Stocker, Lead ICT-Infrastructure and ICT-Operations at MediData AG, Switzerland's leading provider of secure healthcare data exchange. “With 24,000 participants exchanging more than 120 million documents through our protected digital data space each year, we need certificate management that can scale without interrupting critical workflows. DigiCert Trust Lifecycle Manager helps us automate those operations and maintain trusted connections across this ecosystem.” Organisations across all industries are using DigiCert TLM to discover certificates and cryptographic assets, centralise visibility, and automate certificate lifecycle operations across increasingly complex environments. Large enterprises with certificate environments exceeding 100,000 certificates are using DigiCert Trust Lifecycle Manager to centralise visibility and automate lifecycle operations. TLM helps reduce manual work, lower outage risk, and keep critical services running as certificate lifespans shrink. As certificate lifespans shorten, that automation becomes increasingly important to keeping services running. Risk of unauthorised enrolment DigiCert continues to expand TLM’s capabilities with new innovations that remove manual work and strengthen security across the certificate lifecycle: Continuous Validation, powered by UltraDNS, automates Domain Control Validation, keeping domains continuously validated and ready for certificate issuance and renewal without recurring manual intervention. Apple Device Attestation verifies hardware-backed device identity before certificates are issued. Combined with DigiCert’s existing Jamf integration, it enables automated certificate enrolment for managed Apple devices while reducing the risk of unauthorised enrolment. Enterprise trust store management extends automation to the roots and intermediate certificates that systems rely on to validate trust. Centralised controls and automated distribution help keep trust stores consistent across enterprise environments, reducing the risk of outages and supporting future cryptographic transitions. Private certificate authorities DigiCert is also expanding the TLM integration ecosystem with technology leaders including BeyondTrust, F5, Fortinet, HashiCorp/IBM, HPE, Imperva, and NetScaler, helping organisations extend certificate automation into the applications, infrastructure, and security platforms where certificates are deployed. DigiCert was named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Certificate Lifecycle Management 2026 Vendor Assessment. The assessment highlighted TLM's centralised discovery, policy-based governance and end-to-end automation across public and private certificate authorities, along with its ability to help smaller teams automate high-volume certificate environments. Real-world applications “Certificate lifecycle management is a strategic requirement for organisations contending with shorter certificate lifespans, rapidly expanding machine identities, and the transition to post-quantum cryptography,” said Jennifer Glenn, Research Director, IDC. "DigiCert offers capabilities required by enterprises navigating this shift. Trust Lifecycle Manager supports CA-agnostic automation, certificate discovery and governance, and operation across large, hybrid environments. These capabilities address both near-term certificate management needs and the longer-term requirement for enterprise crypto-agility." In September, DigiCert Trust Lifecycle Manager was named a recipient of TMCnet's inaugural 2026 Quantum Computing Product of the Year Award, recognising products and solutions advancing the quantum computing ecosystem and its real-world applications.

At the Toronto Zoo, every person on site – whether that’s a keeper, security officer, scientist, or volunteer - shares one vision: create a world where people, wildlife, and wild spaces thrive. Thirty minutes from downtown Toronto lies a 500-acre campus that is home to over 2000 animals across 200 species. Welcoming 1.3 million guests each year, Toronto Zoo is a world-class operation on a mission to connect people, animals, conservation science, and traditional knowledge to fight extinction. When Toronto Zoo Supervisor of Health & Safety Services, Graham Birtles, set out to modernise the Zoo’s legacy access and alarm infrastructure, he discovered that the partner he already trusted for animal enclosure fencing was the same one now leading the way in physical security and access control. World-class operation The Toronto Zoo opened in 1974 with a goal that extended well beyond exhibition. Today, its work spans conservation science, breeding programs for endangered species, community education, and climate advocacy. Its Guardians of Wild program extends that belief outward, inviting staff, guests, and partner organisations to champion wildlife beyond the Zoo’s borders: in policy, community relations, and corporate engagement. “My everyday is somebody else’s once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Graham. “We want every person who comes through these gates to leave understanding what the Toronto Zoo is about, and what they can personally do to make a change.” Delivering that experience safely for guests, staff, and the animals themselves demanded a security platform fit for the job. Rapid emergency response Before Gallagher Security, the Zoo’s access control and alarm infrastructure had not kept pace with the scale of operations. Mobile alerting was unavailable to officers in the field, credentialling hundreds of seasonal staff required plastic cards that were slow to issue and difficult to track, and there was no integration with the Zoo’s video management system to support rapid emergency response. There was also a unique challenge facing the Zoo team: the electric perimeter fencing around animal enclosures - the secondary layer of protection between the animals and the wider Zoo environment - operated as an entirely separate system, disconnected from the broader infrastructure. Following an animal containment incident that was escalated to security leadership, the need to bridge those two systems became urgent. Graham found the solution at a security trade show, when his integrator walked him toward a familiar orange booth. Higher voltage requirements “I said, I already know Gallagher. They’re my fence people. They’ve been taking care of our fencing systems for over 50 years at the Toronto Zoo.” What Graham didn’t yet know was that Gallagher also delivered enterprise-grade physical security, making Toronto Zoo’s path to world-class operations clear. Working together, Gallagher Security and Gallagher Animal Management designed and implemented an integration between Gallagher Command Centre and the Zoo’s Animal Management energiser systems, enabling real-time communication between animal fencing infrastructure and the security platform for the first time. Higher voltage requirements The implementation required calibration for significantly higher voltage requirements than traditional smaller animal environments, ensuring safe and effective management across large species habitats. The Zoo team worked closely with Gallagher’s experts to configure their setup, and the solution is now fully operational within the orangutan habitat. “Now we can see the voltage of our fences at all times,” says Graham. “We can send alerts to our wildlife care team the moment something touches the hot wire so we can make sure the animals are safe.” When an alert is triggered, integrated CCTV allows the wildlife care team to immediately verify the event and assess the situation before responding; a critical functionality for animal safety. The Zoo’s security needs extend well beyond its animal habitats, and the Gallagher platform has delivered. Persistent administrative challenges Mobile Credentials have addressed one of the most persistent administrative challenges on site. With hundreds of contractors and seasonal catering staff requiring access at any given time, the previous reliance on plastic cards was slow and difficult to manage. Now, time-limited mobile credentials are issued on sign-in and revoked automatically on sign-out, removing the risk of residual access. For officers in the field, Gallagher Mobile Connect removed the need to return to base to manage alarms. Officers maintain full situational awareness from their vehicles around the clock, long after the central control center closes. Further integration with 27 Axis intercoms in high-risk spaces - housing venomous snakes, spiders, and other dangerous species - ensure staff working alone in those environments are never out of reach. Restricting workshop equipment “We can monitor alarms throughout the Zoo; not just for traditional break-and-enter or door-open scenarios. We are monitoring life-safety systems, fire systems, animal conditions, and more,” says Graham. What has distinguished the Toronto Zoo’s deployment is not any single feature, but the broad range of problems the Gallagher platform has been called on to solve. New challenges from across the organisation are allowing Graham and his team to unlock more value from their security system. Whether it is monitoring environmental conditions within animal habitats, restricting workshop equipment to trained operators, or ensuring staff cannot access sensitive areas until their training is verified, the answer has consistently been found within the same platform. Conventional vendor relationship “I like that I can call on the Gallagher team and they will work with us to find a solution,” says Graham. “Gallagher has become a house brand here at the Toronto Zoo. It’s integrated with everything we do,” Graham Birtles, Supervisor of Health & Safety Service. The Zoo’s collaboration with Gallagher has not been a conventional vendor relationship. Graham describes it as a convergence of purpose. “When we partner with organisations such as Gallagher, they become Guardians of Wild,” he says. “Because they help me and the Toronto Zoo accomplish our mission.” The Gallagher platform will play a central role in the Zoo’s next chapter. A new Community Conservation Centre, developed with a local university, will soon bring classrooms, laboratories, and a new otter river habitat into a shared community space; with Command Centre managing access for students, professors, and  visiting groups. “Gallagher understands our mission,” says Graham. “They are very helpful, and everything they have put in place for us has worked. The flexibility has been fantastic.” This installation was deployed in partnership with Met-Scan Canada Ltd

Genetec Inc, the pioneer in enterprise physical security software, announces Cairo Bank has successfully deployed the Genetec Security Center platform transforming how the financial institution monitors, manages, and optimises operations across one of Egypt’s largest branch networks. Cairo Bank is one of the largest and oldest financial institutions in Egypt, serving over three million customers through more than 230 branches. The security advancement was driven by new regulatory requirements from the Central Bank of Egypt, alongside Cairo Bank’s broader digital transformation agenda aligned with Egypt Vision 2030. Beyond compliance, the bank needed a scalable operational intelligence foundation to strengthen oversight, improve customer experience, and support long-term expansion and financial inclusion. Necessary operational foundation The implementation unifies video surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection into a single platform, allowing operators to centrally manage more than 6,000 cameras across 122 active branches, with deployment across the full network nearing completion. The platform provides the necessary operational foundation for a centralised Command and Control Room, where operators can monitor branch activity, coordinate response, and support decision-making across the institution. The system also separates operational responsibilities. IT and security teams can monitor device health and system status without accessing sensitive video feeds, supporting strict data governance and privacy requirements. “Unification and scalability were just the starting points. From day one, I knew we wanted functionalities that add value to all aspects of our operations. Security Center delivered everything we wanted in one easy-to-use solution,” said Major General Hesham Tawfiq, Head of Security at Cairo Bank. Enhancing operational consistency Beyond traditional surveillance, the platform introduces automation and analytics capabilities that support both security and operational decision-making across its branch network. These capabilities are now embedded across the entire branch network, helping Cairo Bank strengthen compliance reporting, improve risk detection, and enhance operational consistency at scale. The platform also provides insights into branch activity patterns, customer flow, and operational trends, extending the value of security data beyond incident monitoring while keeping governance and operational control central to the deployment. Existing infrastructure investments Security Center’s open architecture allowed Cairo Bank to integrate best-of-breed hardware while preserving existing infrastructure investments. It also enables the bank to add technologies and expand the deployment over time without standardising on a single hardware provider. “We are honoured to work with a forward-thinking institution like Cairo Bank that continuously seeks new ways to leverage technology,” said Firas Jadalla, Regional Director, Middle East & Africa at Genetec Inc. “By unifying systems, the bank is building a consistent operational foundation for its branch network, allowing it to respond to changing regulatory and operational requirements while retaining control over how its environment evolves.” Providing technical support Integrated Technics, the systems integrator responsible for delivering the project, led the proof of concept, system design and implementation. The company continues to provide technical support and system optimisation as the deployment expands. “The Command and Control Room gives Cairo Bank a real-time operational hub built on Security Center, bringing video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection into a single interface. This enables operators to monitor activity across the branch network, coordinate responses and make faster, more informed decisions,” said Walid Alagamy, CEO of Integrated Technics.

Atyrau, one of Kazakhstan’s key regional cities, has been steadily advancing its urban development while facing growing demands on its road and traffic infrastructure. As vehicle volume increased and urban mobility became more complex, the city needed a smarter, more efficient way to manage traffic flow, improve road safety, and support the daily movement of residents, commuters, and pedestrians. In response, Dahua Technology delivered an intelligent signal control solution designed to enhance city infrastructure, improve mobility, and contribute to a safer and more sustainable urban environment. Critical traffic management Located in western Kazakhstan, Atyrau plays an important role as a regional economic and transportation hub. With continuous urban growth, the city’s roads have become increasingly busy, especially during peak hours. However, parts of the region’s road infrastructure remained insufficient, with some major roads lacking adequate traffic signs and signal lights. This created challenges for both vehicles and pedestrians, making traffic management more difficult and increasing safety risks across key intersections. Before the project, Atyrau faced several critical traffic management pain points Before the project, Atyrau faced several critical traffic management pain points. Congestion during peak hours had become increasingly prominent, requiring a cost-effective and flexible signal control system that could adapt to different road scenarios. In addition, unclear traffic lights and gaps in traffic management contributed to disorderly traffic conditions, including a serious chain collision involving nearly 100 vehicles in 2025. Increasing maintenance difficulty The city also needed a solution that would be easy to deploy and maintain. Many mainstream signal control systems are technically complex, which can increase maintenance difficulty and operational costs. For a growing city like Atyrau, the government required a practical system that could be quickly deployed, remotely commissioned, and adjusted with minimal disruption to citizens’ daily lives. To address these challenges, Dahua provided an intelligent traffic signal control solution combining signal controllers, signal lights, and traffic flow cameras. The system uses AI-powered traffic flow analysis to predict and manage traffic conditions with high detection accuracy, even in complex road environments. By synchronising traffic flow data in real time across multiple intersections, the system can dynamically adjust signal timing and generate optimised timing plans. Adaptive control capability A key advantage of Dahua’s solution is its simple deployment and adaptive control capability A key advantage of Dahua’s solution is its simple deployment and adaptive control capability. The system is designed to be easy to install, debug, maintain, and optimise, allowing traffic control strategies to be adjusted within seconds. This flexibility helps traffic departments respond more effectively to changing road conditions while reducing the burden on traffic enforcement and management teams. Dahua also provided professional traffic signal services, including green wave optimisation and traffic management support. Through its expert team and technical assistance, Dahua helped launch the first signal control demonstration project in the Eurasia region, strengthening local smart transportation capabilities and expanding the ecosystem of technical cooperation. The project also established a replicable model for medium-sized cities across Central Asia and other emerging markets, demonstrating how AI-powered urban mobility solutions can improve transportation efficiency, road safety, and sustainability with practical investment efficiency. Key adaptive intersections Following the deployment of the AI-driven intelligent traffic signal control system, Atyrau achieved significant improvements in urban mobility efficiency and traffic operations. Based on preliminary operational observations and traffic flow analysis at key adaptive intersections, peak-hour traffic efficiency increased by more than 15%, while average vehicle delay time was reduced by approximately 20%. The adaptive signal optimisation capability also improved traffic throughput across major corridors by an estimated 12–18%, helping reduce congestion during busy periods. Atyrau achieved significant improvements in urban mobility efficiency and traffic operations By enabling real-time traffic analytics and dynamic signal coordination, the project reduced unnecessary vehicle idling time by an estimated 18%, contributing to lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Operationally, the intelligent traffic management framework reduced manual traffic intervention requirements by approximately 30%, allowing local traffic authorities to respond more efficiently to changing road conditions through data-driven decision-making. Greener urban environment Beyond traffic efficiency, the project brings wider value to the city and its residents. Smoother traffic flow helps reduce unnecessary idling and emissions, contributing to a greener urban environment. Safer and more orderly intersections improve mobility for drivers and pedestrians, while intelligent infrastructure supports the city’s long-term vision of digital transformation. By combining AI, real-time data, and adaptive signal control, Dahua’s solution helps Atyrau move toward a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future.

TECOM Group has enhanced security and accessibility across several of its flagship developments in Dubai, including Dubai Media City, with the installation of advanced Gunnebo Entrance Control solutions. Since its establishment in 1999, TECOM has shaped Dubai’s landscape as a hub for business and innovation. Its ten business districts, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Design District (d3), are home to nearly 12,000 companies employing more than 124,000 people. Entrance control solution Developments like Dubai Media City welcome thousands of people every day, serving as both workplaces and collaborative hubs where ideas and intellectual property are shared. This made it essential for TECOM to implement an entrance control solution capable of maintaining robust security while preserving the smooth flow of people and the open, professional atmosphere expected across its developments. Following a competitive tender, Gunnebo Entrance Control was appointed to combine advanced entrance control, seamless integration with wider access control systems and a sleek design suited to modern commercial environments. More than 40 SpeedStile FLs gates were installed across several buildings, chosen for their performance, adaptability and ability to support high volumes of daily movement without compromising the visitor experience. Access control technology The SpeedStile FLs features a slim, contemporary appearance designed to complement modern commercial spaces. Beyond aesthetics, it incorporates advanced single-person detection systems, monitoring tailgating, piggybacking and unauthorised attempts to access secure areas. Audible alerts assist on-site teams, while third-party integration ensures compatibility with existing access control technology, including group movement through card stacking capabilities. For TECOM, this blend of security technology and design has delivered both reassurance and efficiency. By implementing SpeedStile FLs across its developments, the Group has strengthened security while preserving the collaborative and welcoming environment that defines its business communities. Fadi Yakoub concluded: “TECOM communities attract some of the world’s biggest names alongside dynamic start-ups, making them vital contributors to the region’s knowledge and creative economy. We are proud of our long-term partnership to deliver seamless entrance control solutions across their developments. The SpeedStile FLs provides flexible, reliable management of people flow, while also creating a welcoming and professional first impression for business communities.”