The winners of the commercial category are as follows:

• Access Control: Genetec — Genetec Enclosure Management powered Cloud Link Roadrunner
• AV Collaboration: Biamp — Parlé VBC 2500 all-in-one conferencing bar
• Fire/Intrusion: Alula — BAT-Fire
• Video Surveillance: Axis Communications — AXIS M4308-PLE Panoramic Camera
• Miscellaneous: IPVideo — HALO IoT Smart Sensor 3C

Knott also announced the IoT/Connected Product Awards winners in the resident category. They are as follows:

• Home Enhancement: Crestron — Crestron Home
• Lighting: Crestron — Crestron LED Light Fixtures
• Network Communication: Google Nest — Nest Wi-Fi Pro
• Physical Security/Access Control: Doorbird — A1121
• Physical Security/Surveillance: Nest Doorbell (Second Generation)

Total Tech Summit co-locates CE Pro Summit, Commercial Integrator Summit and Security Sales & Integration Summit, all sister brands of TechDecisions. The event thus drives noteworthy progress in the custom, commercial and security integration industries.

Total Tech Summit 2022 is ongoing from October 26 to October 28, 2022 in Orlando, Fla. For more updates on this event, follow Twitter updates from Dan Ferrisi (@DanFerrisiEdit) and Commercial Integrator (@commintegrator), and check out the hashtag #TotalTech22!

This article originally appeared in our sister publication Commercial Integrator. 

The post IoT/Connected Product Awards 2022 Announced appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The firm says the impact of these vulnerabilities is full system control, including the ability for an attacker to remotely manipulate door locks.

Trellix investigated the access control panels as part of its ongoing research to discover critical vulnerabilities, saying, “We chose this specific access control panel to research because of its ubiquitous use, the volume and criticality of industries they are used in, the security certifications the product has received and overall position in the market.”

The firm was able to achieve root access to the device’s operating system and pull its firmware for emulation and vulnerability discovery via physical access, network access and exploitation.

The vulnerabilities uncovered by Trellix allowed researchers to demonstrate the ability to remotely unlock and lock doors, subvert alarms and undermine logging and notification systems.

HID Global confirmed with Trellix that all OEM partners using Mercury boards are vulnerable to the issues on specific hardware controller platforms.

The firm says this research is actionable for vendors and third parties that collaborate with integrators to install physical access systems and that customers using HID Global Mercury boards should contact their Mercury OEM partner for access to security patches prior to weaponization by malicious threat actors, which could lead to both digital or physical breaches of sensitive information and protected locations.

“HID Global is committed to open and transparent communication with our partners to ensure the continued long-term success of our business together,” HID Global tells SSI. “We were recently informed of cybersecurity vulnerabilities within firmware running on Mercury LP and EP4502 Intelligent Controllers. We then acted quickly to confirm and address all issues reported, validated fixes externally, and posted new firmware for our OEM partners to consume. These partners then communicate with their channel to deploy the firmware fix based on their individual timelines.”

HID acquired Mercury from ACRE in 2017. You can view the full research report from Trellix here.

This article originally appeared on our sister site Security Sales & Integration. 

The post Critical Vulnerabilities Found in Popular Access Control Panels appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Based in Seattle, Tempered Networks has created ‘Airwall’ technology, an advanced self-defense system for buildings that is said to enable secure network access across diverse groups of endpoint devices, edge gateways, Cloud platforms and service technicians.

It represents a step-change in operational technology built on secure transmission pipelines to ensure buildings data exchanges and service actions can only take place between people and devices that are continuously authenticated, according to the company.

“When it comes to buildings, we must create easily implementable cybersecurity defenses as we’re often dealing with critical infrastructure, including assets such as data centers and hospitals,” says Vijay Sankaran, vice president and chief technology officer, Johnson Controls. “Tempered Networks Airwall approach is purpose-built for our sector as it’s designed around principles of zero trust, securing device communications as data moves between devices and the Cloud — so enabling remote building optimization in the most trusted way possible.”

Johnson Controls says the acquisition gives the company the capability to provide zero trust security within the fabric of its OpenBlue secure communications stack, advancing its vision of enabling fully autonomous buildings that are inherently resilient to cyberattack.

OpenBlue is said to provide a flexible computing approach for converging building technologies and making those technologies more insightful, powerful and optimized through edge AI and through full machine learning in the Cloud. The ultimate goal is to make all buildings smarter, healthier and more sustainable.

“Digital transformation is the primary way we’ll make the world’s buildings more autonomous and resilient,” says Bryan Skene, chief technology officer, Tempered Networks. “Being acquired by Johnson Controls allows us to fully integrate our Airwall technology into their software stack, providing an advanced security platform for a range of edge to Cloud applications. Our ambition, now that we’re part of Johnson Controls, is that building systems everywhere can be managed from anywhere and remain secure from cyber threats.”

The acquisition of Tempered Networks builds on the previously announced selection of the company as a core component of Johnson Controls OpenBlue platform and services.

Johnson Controls says the integration of Tempered Networks’ security technology further builds on other recent acquisitions, including Foghorn, whose technology is taking the company’s edge AI capability to new levels for compute-constrained devices. It also complements partnerships with Pelion and DigiCert to provide advanced secure device management and digital trust for smart building technology.

This article originally appeared on our sister site Security Sales & Integration. 

The post Johnson Controls Acquires Tempered Networks to Boost Cybersecurity appeared first on My TechDecisions.

We certainly take pride in our approach to journalism – our coverage of impressive technology projects, our resources for helping you create better RFPs (and better ROI), our perspective on where technology is heading and our focus on evolving our content for today’s digital audience.

An important complement to that is providing a platform for our audience, the folks who live breathe the challenges related to choosing technology solutions for an organization.

You care about what you do. Who better than you to present an idea, issue a challenge or pick a bone with the tech decision-making community?

Since we launched TD, we sought to be a voice for the folks who are in the trenches, choosing technology solutions for their organizations and taking responsibility for the return on investment. If you write for TD, you can amplify your own voice.

Some of my favorite MyTechdecisions articles have been written by tech decision makers like you.

Examples of Topics to Be Tackled by Tech Decision Maker Community:

• What keeps you up at night? What do you see as the biggest potential threats to an organization’s network and how can folks in the tech decision making community mitigate those concerns?
• How has the role of an IT professional changed during your career? Maybe you’re now charged with creating access control or unified communication and collaboration (UC&C) solutions for your organization. And how have you adjusted?
• How do you truly educate and get employees to take ownership of their role in the organization’s cybersecurity?
• What are your methods for choosing which vendors (AV, electrical, office design, communications, etc.) to work with? And yes, we’d welcome an opportunity to learn from your mistakes, as well.
• The video display industry is big on specs – HDR, 4K, 8K, you name it. What specs are actually important to you and your organization when rolling out video solutions?

These are just a few topic examples. We’re actually more interested in the ones that, as mentioned, are likely rattling around in your head.

How to Write for MyTechDecisions

You don’t have to be an executive, CIO, CTO or IT director (but you can be). You don’t have to be great writer (we are a team of editors). You just need passion for what you do.

If you’re interested in writing a column for MyTechDecisions, here’s how it works:

• Send an email to zachary.comeau@emeraldx.com; or web editor Alyssa Borelli at alyssa.borelli@emeraldx.com.
• We’ll kick around your ideas and discuss how to optimize them for our audience.
• We’ll give some direction, including a suggested word count and deadline.
• You’ll pour your thoughts into a column.
• Our team will edit as needed and help to position it for maximum impact.
• We’ll run significant changes by you to make sure you’re comfortable with your by-lined column before it gets posted.
• We’ll share it and promote it to TD

Are you ready to take a thought-leadership role in the tech decision-making community? If so, we’d love to hear from you — and so would MyTechDecisions’ audience.

The post Write for Us: Why You Should Write for MyTechDecisions appeared first on My TechDecisions.

“By simply presenting your face to the facial recognition tablet, true contactless and hands-free access control is achieved. The FT9361-R’s deep learning AI technology can precisely detect a real, living/breathing person from that of a high definition photo. With a focus on high accuracy, high security, and group (list) management, the FT9361-R is especially effective for healthcare, data centers, laboratories, and other confidential industries and situations,” says David Liu, president of Vivotek USA.

Each FT9361-R face recognition tablet can store up to 50,000 facial profiles. Through the facial database, administrators can categorize profiles into different groups, such as blacklist, VIP, staff, etc., and grant varied credentials to each group.

“FT9361-R integration with an access control system can detect facial profiles 30 – 150 cm in front of the tablet, and match the characteristics with profiles in the database,” Liu continues. “When mapping checked, the access control system would command open or close of an entry point. Therefore, true hand-free access control can achieve effortlessly.”

Facial images are captured and verified in real-time with biometric authentication. Furthermore, deep learning analytics can accurately verify a person’s identity even through makeup, beards, hats, glasses, or surgical masks, providing 99% accurate authentication for a safe and secure environment, according to the company.

Vivotek says facial recognition uses biometric credentials that cannot be transferred to others, thus greatly reducing the risk of fraudulent access or “buddy punching” for employees clocking in.

Going a step further, FT9361-R phases in dual accreditation functionality, integrating facial recognition and card reader altogether. Employees meeting both the verification of facial recognition and card reading can pass through, facilitating security to a higher level.

This article originally appeared on our sister site Security Sales & Integration. 

The post Vivotek Unveils FT9361-R Facial Recognition Tablet appeared first on My TechDecisions.

In the video above, Rick Focke dives into what makes the product secure, why security is important in access control systems, and more.

iSTAR Ultra G2 Cyber-Hardened Controller Features

• Powerful cyber-hardened network door controller for up to 32 readers
• Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) provides advanced hardware-based cybersecurity protection
• Hardened Linux embedded OS for improved security and scalability
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) module features PoE+ to power the GCM
• Up to 1M cardholders in local memory
• Dual GigE network ports with IPv6, DHCP and 802.1X support
• Embedded lock power management lowers installation costs
• Advanced controller-to-controller communications for cluster-based anti-passback and I/O logic
• Onboard 256-bit AES network encryption
• Supports OSDP Secure Channel for encrypted reader communications
• Supports Embedded High Assurance FICAM operation without third-party hardware

The post Q&A:iSTAR Ultra G2 Cyber-Hardened Controller from Tyco Software House appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Continental Access, a provider of integrated access and security solutions, announces the E-Access platform. E-Access is said to be an easy-to-use platform of 1 to 4-door, self-contained controllers with embedded software.

It offers hybrid access control in a Cloud-based system, with the advantages of an on-premise access system, according to the company.

E-Access is available in 1-door, 2-door and 4-door controller models, and fully scalable eight doors expandable to 256.

E-Access is a self-contained system, meaning there is no software to load and it’s ready out of the box. It features secure Cloud-based remote management and/or mobile app management.

A set-up wizard guides users through a set-up of user and system configuration, auto-populating of holidays, the integrated flat file import tool, and bulk load of users and credentials. The E-Access embedded platform also allows for use with any popular browser, including Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer.

Read Next:Almost Half of Workers Want Mobile Access Control Credentials Over Cards or Keys

“Feature-packed at a value-leading price, E-Access features no-touch Bluetooth mobile credentials and automated credential issuance; Quad Core Cortex, 1.5 GHz, 64-bit processing with a gigabit Ethernet, each panel retains a copy of database for redundancy; UL294 Series 7th Ed. Listed; and includes a 5-year hardware warranty,” the company states in a release.

The post Continental Access E-Access Embedded Platform appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Version 8 brings a range of new features, including licensing updates and more options for mobile credential functionality, which allows touchless access and streamlined integration that limit human interaction in deployment, according to the company.

RS2 says Access It! Universal is aimed at providing businesses of all sizes with an access management solution to fit their needs — whether it’s simple access control for a few employees in a single building or multiple locations for thousands of employees in a multi-region, multi-server system.

Updates to the software build on what RS2 says is its goal to provide customers with the ability to envision a truly customizable design that allows them to select the features they need to build a scalable, cost-effective system.

Related: Almost Half of Workers Want Mobile Access Control Credentials Over Cards or Keys

The new update also allows for integration with Traka by ASSA ABLOY, which offers intelligent key and equipment management through the Access It! Universal dashboard.

Users can grant and restrict access to Traka cabinets and lockers, allowing for the transmission of equipment, such as keys or tablets, to employees without having to assign managers to issue them.

Intelligence-driven event monitoring and records enable customers to audit in accordance with company policies.

RS2 Access It! new version update also includes:

• Licensing that can now be managed instantly, anytime from within the Access It! Universal application with the click of a button.
• Simplified API license management.
• Mobile credential integration with HID Global and Farpointe, as well as ACT ID, RS2’s free credential option powered by WaveLynx Technologies.
• Enhanced DVR integrations that allow users to view third-party video directly in the Access It! Universal software instead of launching a new program in a new window, enabling a more integrated viewing of playback and live video.

“RS2 Technologies is constantly looking for ways to enhance the access management experience for our customers, listening to their needs and ensuring they’re able to get the most from their investment in our Access It! Universal software,” says David Barnard, senior vice president of sales and marketing, RS2 Technologies.

“With this new updated version of the software, the user experience is truly enhanced, bringing additional value to our customers and providing even more ways that the software can be used to manage not only access, but provide more functionality for improving business operations and streamlining all aspects of the security system.”

Click here for more information.

This article premiered on our sister site, Campus Safety.

The post New Version of RS2 Access It! Universal Adds New Video Functionality appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Microsoft also announced the general availability of Microsoft Azure Digital Twins.,

As a key partner for Azure Digital Twins, Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue Digital Twin is “a comprehensive platform that will support the entire ecosystem of building and device management technologies with digital cloud technologies,” according to the joint announcement.

Johnson Controls is a Microsoft partner, leveraging several Azure services including Active Directory Services, Azure Data Lake, Access Control and Time Series Insights.

Microsoft’s Azure Digital Twins is the newest Azure platform service integrated into Johnson Controls OpenBlue platform that “aims to enable the creation of next-generation IoT connected solutions that will model the real world,” according to the joint announcement.

Johnson Control’s OpenBlue platform, which launched in July, “turns the physical world into computable objects that will enable customers to create detailed digital versions of physical buildings, assets and systems,” the announcement says.

Digital twins are digital replicas of physical entities capable of providing an in-depth analysis of data and the potential to monitor systems to mitigate risks, manage issues and utilize simulations to test future solutions.

The use of digital twins helps technicians identify the root cause of issues and building managers are able to support COVID-19 safety and security protocols, while ensuring efficient use of energy and other facility resources.

Inside Johnson Controls OpenBlue Digital Twin

The OpenBlue Digital Twin platform is “purpose-built with smart buildings and spaces in mind, enabling and unifying all aspects of an intelligent building; security, employee experience, facilities management, sustainability and more,” according to the joint announcement.

The open platform’s open system integrates with existing building infrastructure, regardless of brand, make or model.

“Our partnership with Microsoft is a vital ingredient in our innovation strategy, as the company shares our vision of using technology to transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play,” said Mike Ellis, VP and chief digital and customer officer at Johnson Controls.

“Digital twins are playing an increasingly important role in the design, construction and ongoing operation of healthy buildings and spaces, and can be particularly valuable when analyzing large datasets and predicting patterns and trends to tell our customers things they don’t yet know,” he said.

Related: Johnson Controls Upgrades Building Management Platform With Enterprise Management 2.2

“Our OpenBlue digital platform, closely connected with Microsoft’s platform and workplace technologies, represents an unbeatable opportunity to help our customers make shared spaces safer, more agile and more sustainable,” said Ellis.

“We have an incredible opportunity to use advances in cloud and compute capabilities to help customers reimagine the physical world,” said Scott Guthrie, executive VP of cloud and AI for Microsoft.

“By integrating the power of Azure Digital Twins with Johnson Controls OpenBlue Digital Twin platform, our collaboration will provide customers with a digital replica and actionable insights to better meet their evolving needs,” he said.

Working with Microsoft, Johnson Controls will address how people can return to work to maximize space while operating facilities safely, including:

• Energy Optimization – optimizing energy usage within facilities maintenance with a goal of reducing carbon emissions that save money and support sustainability efforts.
• Access Control and Safety – addressing physical access and safety using live video analytics and spatial intelligence, combining Microsoft cloud services and Johnson Controls security access controls hardware end points.
• Collaboration for Facility Managers – integrating facility management workflows with workplace collaboration platforms such as Office 365 and Microsoft Teams to increase productivity and collaboration across remote teams.
• Workspace Optimization – maximizing the use of spaces by merging building and occupancy data with experiences to create actionable insights for facility managers and the occupants.

The post Johnson Controls and Microsoft Announce Integration of OpenBlue Digital Twin and Azure Digital Twins appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The collaboration combines STid’s expertise in contactless identification solutions with Bosch’s comprehensive access control portfolio to offer a touchless and convenient access solution based on mobile phones.

Users can use their mobile phone as means of identification when STid Mobile ID is integrated with the Access Management System (version 2.0 and higher) or the Building Integration System (version 4.7 and higher) and the Access Management Controller (AMC2) from Bosch.

To use this solution, users must install the STid mobile app on their smartphone to receive a unique ID number. Then, when presenting their mobile phone to the reader, the authorization rights of the ID credential within the Access Management System or the Building Integration System will be checked by the AMC2 before access is granted.

Related: Biometrics: The Future of Access Control

In addition to being touchless, the solution has the advantage of requiring only a mobile phone for identification (an indispensable item for many), rather than biometric features, which may be sensitive in certain applications or cultures.

In addition to the already mentioned advantages, the mobile access solution based on STid and Bosch, will provide customers with the following benefits:

• Pre-configured STid readers can be purchased via the STid distribution sales channels that are compatible with the Bosch access control components in a plug and play way.
• The option to choose OSDP v2 SC channel protocol for highest security in data transmission from the reader to the AMC2.
• A free mobile credential as means of identification which is issued directly when installing the STid mobile app on the smartphone. This allows for a portal free and fast implementation of the mobile access solution.

“With Bosch, we share the same aim: to provide touchless, secure and convenient access control solutions to protect people. We are glad to work together to offer new solutions in the field of access control,” says Vincent Dupart, CEO at STid.

This post premiered on our sister site, Security Sales & Integration.

The post Mobile Access Control Solution from STid & Bosch is Completely Touchless appeared first on My TechDecisions.