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.

Starburst, the enterprise intelligence platform for governed data and AI, announces the appointment of Kerman Lau as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In this role, Kerman will lead Starburst’s finance organisation and partner with the leadership team on growth strategy, operating performance, capital allocation and long-term value creation. Lau joins Starburst with more than 25 years of experience spanning high-growth software companies and large global enterprises. Most recently, he served as CFO of Moveworks, where he helped scale the company through a period of rapid growth, the emergence of generative and agentic AI, and its acquisition by ServiceNow. Measurable business outcomes Throughout his career, Lau has focused on building high-performing finance organisations, using technology and data to improve decision-making, and helping companies translate strategy into measurable business outcomes. A consistent thread across his career has been people: his roles have grown out of trusted relationships and he credits talented, passionate teams as the common factor behind the companies he has helped scale. “AI is reshaping how companies operate, and it’s also changing what it takes to build and scale a great technology company,” said Justin Borgman, co-founder and CEO of Starburst. “Kerman has been through that journey before. He knows how to invest aggressively in the opportunities that matter while building the financial discipline needed to scale, and he understands the enormous opportunity in front of us as data becomes the foundation for enterprise AI. I’m excited to have him as a partner for Starburst’s next chapter.” Accelerating AI adoption As enterprises accelerate AI adoption, agentic workloads are multiplying alongside human ones, and access to trusted, governed data and business context is becoming increasingly critical. Starburst gives organisations secure, governed access to data wherever it lives, helping AI platforms, applications and agents move from pilots to production without requiring enterprises to first consolidate all of their data into a single platform. “People are the most important factor in my decision to join Starburst. Every company I’ve been part of has started with a people connection and that connection is what makes you want to take a bet on a new opportunity. From my first conversations with Justin and the leadership team, I felt we could build a great partnership and accomplish something meaningful together,” said Lau. Highest-growth opportunities “Starburst is also in the sweet spot of one of the biggest shifts happening in enterprise technology. Starburst already gives people high-performance, governed access to their data. Agentic workloads need the same things, plus business context a human naturally brings to every query. That’s exactly what we’re building and I believe Starburst is incredibly well positioned to be the gateway for any workload, human or agentic, to reach the data it needs.” As CFO, Lau will work closely with Starburst’s leadership team to align investment with the company’s highest-growth opportunities, strengthen operating performance and help guide the company through its next stage of scale. His experience navigating competitive technology markets and periods of rapid change will help Starburst balance investment and growth as the enterprise AI market continues to evolve.

Colt Technology Services, the global digital infrastructure company, announces further investment in its global network as hyperscalers, neoscalers and wholesale providers scale their AI infrastructure and drive unprecedented demand for connectivity. The investment expands Colt's reach across North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, strengthens its presence in key metro markets, and upgrades critical optical fibre infrastructure to support the next generation of AI-driven growth. Transpacific subsea infrastructure Colt customers benefit from: Greater scale and capacity across key AI corridors, with connectivity up to 400Gb to Colt’s global intelligent network, as well as investment in coast-to-coast routes and additional transatlantic and transpacific subsea infrastructure More route diversity, including a new point of presence in Johannesburg, South Africa and enhancements to Colt’s existing fibre network High capacity, low latency connectivity to emerging digital hubs across the Middle East, with deeper reach into Dubai and Türkiye Expanded connectivity across Japan, including a new 600km+ long-distance network from Osaka to Fukuoka and further planned expansion across West Japan Enhanced access to major cloud, AI and enterprise ecosystems through continued infrastructure expansion in strategic European metros including Warsaw, Poland; Bordeaux, France; Zaragoza, Spain; and Berlin and Frankfurt, Germany, bringing the total number of Colt metropolitan networks to 55 Improved performance, security and route choice including a fibre upgrade for the Marseille to Milan connection, linking two of Europe's most important digital infrastructure hubs A future-ready European fibre network, with new fibre overlays and upgraded duct infrastructure designed to support faster service deployment, greater flexibility and long-term growth in AI and cloud traffic More resilient, low-latency data centre connectivity, enabling seamless movement of data between public clouds, private clouds and AI infrastructure environments with Colt’s connections to 1,100 data centres globally, connecting more data centres in Europe than any other provider Strategic infrastructure investments The latest network investments build on a series of strategic infrastructure investments Colt has announced this year, including connecting the US West coast to Asia and the US East coast to Europe; expansion in Istanbul, Türkiye and wider expansion in the Middle East; fibre expansion in Zaragoza, Spain; and a metro network build in Frankfurt, Germany. Together, they reflect Colt's continued commitment to giving customers the foundations they need to build ambitious digital infrastructure, scale globally and capture new opportunities. “AI readiness is about more than building capacity. It's about connecting data, cloud and compute at the scale AI demands,” says Joe Scattareggia, EVP, Infrastructure and Connectivity Sales at Colt Technology Services. “As hyperscalers, neoscalers and wholesale providers build for the next wave of AI, connectivity becomes a critical differentiator. Success will depend on collaboration across carriers, cloud providers, data centres and technology partners. By continuing to invest in our global digital infrastructure, we're bringing those ecosystems together and giving customers the reach, control and confidence they need to build, scale and grow.”

A specialist consultancy, ASOKIVA has launched to help manufacturers navigate certification, market access and international growth. Founded by international security and technology specialist Paul Spencer, ASOKIVA draws on 25 years’ experience across the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and the US. Bringing together certification expertise, market intelligence and commercial strategy, the new business supports manufacturers looking to enter new territories and identify commercial opportunities. Identify commercial opportunities “Working with manufacturers across different markets, I’ve seen how much can vary from one territory to another, from certification and regulatory requirements through to customer expectations and routes to market,” said Paul Spencer, Founder and CEO of ASOKIVA. “This extensive experience is what led me to the creation of ASOKIVA. We want to bring together the technical understanding of certification with the commercial knowledge needed to assess a market and help identify where the growth opportunities are, knowing it will be different for every business.” ASOKIVA works with manufacturers across security, access management, connected devices, critical infrastructure and the built environment.  Supporting sustainable growth With the opportunity to engage with manufacturers before certification programmes begin, the aim is to support both new market entry and businesses looking to develop opportunities within markets where they already operate. Paul added: “I’ve spent much of my career working across the security sector and associated international markets, so bringing this experience together felt like a natural next step.” “There is a real opportunity to help them make the most of the markets beyond their existing home territories, and this is where I see ASOKIVA making a real difference. Our ambition is to connect certification and regulatory expertise with the commercial insight needed to assess markets, identify opportunities and support sustainable growth.”

Intercede, the digital identity specialists, launches MyID® Authenticate, a FIDO passkey authentication solution that gives Governments and enterprises phishing-resistant sign-in to Windows desktops, cloud services and on-premise applications from a single platform. The solution makes its international debut tomorrow at GovWare 2026 in Singapore, 13-15 October 2026. Passwords and one-time codes are easily phished. FIDO passkeys are phishing-resistant by design: each passkey is bound to the genuine site, its private key never leaves the user's device, and there is no shared secret for an attacker to steal or replay. Yet many Governments and enterprises still struggle to extend passkeys beyond a handful of web apps to the Windows desktop, legacy applications and VPNs. FIDO authentication server “Everyone agrees passkeys are one of the strongest defences against phishing. The hard part has been getting them onto every desktop and into every modern application. That is exactly what MyID® Authenticate does,” said Dan McLoughlin, Chief Product Officer, Intercede. MyID® Authenticate is both a FIDO authentication server and a passkey issuer. It supports FIDO2 security keys and device-bound and synced passkeys, with self-service enrolment. Passkey Windows Logon works on Windows 10 and 11, even offline, while SAML 2.0 and OpenID Connect bring the same passkeys to cloud apps, on-premise apps and VPNs, with federation to Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365. Legacy applications are supported via RADIUS and a selection of strong and multi factor authentication methods. Post-quantum cryptography Enterprises deploy MyID® Authenticate on their own terms, on-premise, in the cloud or hybrid, and keep full control of their authentication data. It works alongside the identity infrastructure they already run, so there is nothing to rip out and replace. Its crypto-agile design supports post-quantum cryptography, helping Governments and enterprises adapt as cryptographic standards and threats evolve. For existing MyID® MFA customers, the new MyID® Authenticate Migration Tool provides a clear, supported route to MyID® Authenticate. MyID® Authenticate also integrates with MyID® CMS for organisations that need to issue and manage high-assurance credentials alongside it. Intercede has secured its first new logo client already in Germany for the integrated MyID® CMS and MyID® Authenticate solution. High-assurance credentials MyID® Authenticate makes its international debut tomorrow at GovWare 2026, one of Asia-Pacific's leading cybersecurity events, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore. Across all three days, from 13 to 15 October, Intercede's team on stand M38 as well as featuring on DT Asia’s stand, M31, in collaboration with Swissbit, will show passkeys working where enterprises need them most: at the Windows lock screen, on the VPN and offline, along with self-service enrolment and how existing MyID® MFA customers can migrate. “Passkeys are easiest to understand when you see them in action, at GovWare, visitors can see how easy it is to sign in to Windows with a passkey and witness how simple phishing-resistant authentication can be,” said Dan McLoughlin, Chief Product Officer, Intercede. MyID® Authenticate 2026.1 is available now MyID Authenticate | Phishing-Resistant FIDO Authentication.

The Sanoat Qurilish Bank (SQB) in Uzbekistan enhanced its security and operations with Dahua’s integrated solution, combining ANPR, under-vehicle scanning, facial recognition, and DSS Pro for centralised management. This improved inspection accuracy, strengthened access control, and enabled faster, more efficient security responses. Overview - SQB is one of Uzbekistan’s key financial institutions, required a stronger, more intelligent security infrastructure to protect its facilities, personnel, visitors, and vehicle entry points. As a banking environment with high daily traffic and strict security requirements, SQB needed a solution that could reduce operational risks, improve inspection accuracy, and unify fragmented security systems under one centralised platform. Key financial institutions Challenges - The bank encountered several key challenges in its existing operations and security systems. Vehicle inspection at entry and exit points was not comprehensive enough, creating potential risks from unauthorised or hazardous vehicles. Manual inspection processes also increased operating costs and were vulnerable to human error. At the same time, visitor control needed improvement, as internal visitors could access important office areas without strict management. The bank’s existing security systems, including CCTV, access control, and under-vehicle scanning, came from different brands, making unified management difficult. Meeting rooms also suffered from low efficiency due to traditional presentation and note-taking methods. Smart security solution Solutions - To address these needs, Dahua provided an integrated smart security solution covering vehicle inspection, personnel access, visitor management, conference room modernisation, and centralised system control. At vehicle entrances, Dahua deployed bollards, under-vehicle scanning systems, ANPR cameras, and gate barriers to support comprehensive vehicle checks and maintain visual records for future audits. This helped improve perimeter security while making inspections smoother and more traceable. For personnel and visitor management, Dahua introduced access control, visitor management, elevator control systems, and facial recognition technology in key areas. These systems enabled accurate identity verification and stricter access permissions, helping SQB protect sensitive office spaces and improve overall site security. Reduced equipment maintenance Dahua also upgraded the bank’s meeting environment with integrated conference room equipment, including electronic whiteboards, lifting screens, and audio and video recording capabilities. This created a cleaner, more efficient meeting space, reduced equipment maintenance complexity, and made meeting content easier to record and trace. A major highlight of the project was the deployment of Dahua DSS Pro, which integrated CCTV, access control systems, and UVSS into one unified management platform. By connecting multiple subsystems, DSS Pro enabled security guards to monitor devices centrally, identify abnormal events faster, and respond more efficiently. Efficient daily operations Results - As a result of successfully implementing Dahua’s Integrated Smart Security Solution, SQB strengthened its physical security, improved vehicle and personnel management, reduced dependence on manual inspection, and achieved more efficient daily operations. The project also demonstrated the value of Dahua’s integrated security ecosystem, combining smart devices, AI-enabled identification, and centralised platform management to meet the demanding security needs of the banking sector.

Genetec Inc., the pioneer in enterprise physical security software, announces that the City of Carmel, Indiana, has deployed Genetec™ Security Center to unify security and operational systems across more than 40 municipal sites, helping city departments coordinate resources, improve emergency response, and manage day-to-day operations more efficiently. Carmel’s public safety teams use Security Center to monitor video, alarms, emergency calls, response vehicles, and IoT sensors through an interactive city map. First responders can access the same information from mobile devices, helping teams coordinate resources and respond more efficiently when incidents occur. Direct first responders That coordination proved especially valuable when a rare tornado struck Carmel. Using Security Center, city teams quickly mapped the storm’s path and assessed its impact across the community. They identified the hardest-hit areas and used that information to direct first responders, utility crews, and public works resources where they were needed most. “By bringing all our departments onto one city-wide platform, we’ve reduced complexity. The result is better decisions for our community, higher response efficiency, and more cost-effective operations that benefit our residents,” said Morgan Rinehart, Network Architect at the City of Carmel. Making informed decisions Beyond public safety, Carmel is using Security Center to support services across the community. With information from multiple systems available through a unified platform, departments can better understand conditions across the city and make informed decisions about how to deploy resources. For example: Engineering and street teams can monitor road conditions, coordinate snow removal, and manage traffic during construction detours without sending personnel into the field to assess conditions Parks teams can monitor crowd levels, facility usage, and safety across the city’s waterpark and trails Public events teams can monitor pedestrian traffic in community plazas and during gatherings The unified platform also gives Carmel’s IT team a centralised view of system health. Teams can monitor device status, identify potential vulnerabilities, review cybersecurity information, and manage firmware and software updates from one platform, helping the city manage its growing number of connected devices. Providing additional flexibility Carmel is also taking a hybrid approach to its security infrastructure, with the cloud-based Security Center SaaS platform providing additional flexibility when temporary projects or large events require expanded video coverage. The city can deploy mobile cameras and connect with systems operated by local schools, sports organisations, and critical infrastructure partners. Looking ahead, Carmel plans to continue expanding the platform as its smart city initiatives evolve. This includes connecting more systems and community partners. By building on an open platform, the city can add new capabilities as its needs change while maintaining a consistent approach to security and operations.

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.