Paxton integrated access control solutions

Paxton integrated access control solutions are some of the best in the security industry today. Paxton based in Brighton, they are now the market leader for access control in the UK.

Paxton Net2 controller

Their leading product is the PC based NET 2 system. The access control software that is at the heart of this solution is able run several different door controllers. In essence they have 3 main door controllers all designed to fit into different scenarios dependant on the layout of the site. In summary these are the Net2 classic, the Net2 plus and the Net2 nano.

The classic is their oldest model and is an RS485 based system. Each controller will fit above a door that needs securing and will accommodate 2 readers. One in and one out. The whole ethos behind Paxton’s success has been that it is able to fit into just about every situation required and remain cost competitive. For more doors just add another controller and the two are integrated together using simple 485 communication. Add up to 500 doors in this manner and up to 50,000 users and you have a very flexible solution.

As we start to move into a situation where IP access control is now at the heart of many security installations Paxton introduced the Net2 plus. This is an IP based controller and sits easily on a PC network. Still happily able to integrate with the classic you are able to mix and match controllers in order to gain the most cost effective solution.

Not to be outdone by their competitors the forward thinking staff at Paxton also realized that wireless controllers could also cut the cost of installations in certain cases. This is where the Net2 nano comes into the equation. A wireless door controller it can connect to the network through a 2.4GHZ radio path that uses  a  bridge at its heart. Once again the nano fits seamlessly in with both the classic and the plus to ensure that no installation is made difficult.

Paxton Net2 has become a favorite amongst installers because aesthetically the readers look good, the system is very competitively priced and it seems that customers needs can always be answered. There is little this access control solution can’t do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGvWQYR0l54

It also must be noted that its not just doors that can be run with the Net2 system. Integrated CCTV and building management systems are easily achievable. Safety features, such as only letting authorised operators start their machines means that everyday uses For Net2 can be everywhere. With this in mind Paxton produce many ancillary products to ensure seamless integration between different security and building management solutions.

Vandal proof readers, keypads, biometric fingerprint scanners can all be integrated into the the controllers and they do not have to be Paxton products. So takeovers and upgrades are always achievable.

Paxton Net2 reader

With a website that is is one of the best in the security industry, technical support for registered installers is always at hand and downloads of the latest firmware always available. Paxton also operate an excellent loyalty scheme that ensures that installers are always keen to go back.

Perhaps however the most important point of all. Reliability is second to none. The units all manufactured at a specially designed factory site in Eastbourne Paxton are UK through and through. So if you are considering installing an integrated access control system then Paxton Net2 and all their associated products  should be high on your priority list.

ANPR cameras, Automatic number plate recognition comes of age.

ANPR cameras  the future of surveillance systems?

ANPR camera

ANPR is one of the few security solutions that has seen growth during the last couple of years. Not just growth but exponential growth! Why is this? Well the technology has improved dramatically and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) is no longer a hit and miss affair. Software advances have seen plate capture at around 97-99% and this means that it’s not just the police who are making use of this technology.

So how does it work? Well firstly you need a specialized camera. High shutter speeds and pulsed IR mean that even at speeds of up to 120 miles an hour a clear image of the numberplate can be captured. At this point the software takes over processing the image into usable data and stores this onto a database.

ANPR

So what applications can this relatively new technology be used for?

Of course crime prevention comes immediately to mind. The ability to network a series of ANPR cameras across the transport network means that vehicles can be accurately tracked this information tends to get used in anti terrorism operations and murder investigations.

We then of course know that ANPR cameras and software are remarkably brilliant at issuing us speeding fines most people will have seen the images and realized that it is pointless appealing against you fine…very frustrating.

However ANPR cameras are now being used for commercial gain and this has seen an explosion in their popularity.

Have you seen the signs now in the big car parks such as Tesco, Asda, B&Q and the list goes on? These car parks are controlled by ANPR cameras that capture your plate on the way in and capture it again on the way out. If you have overstayed the stated time on the signs your plate is queried with the DVLA and a fine automatically issued to your address. Car park management is now big business. Big organizations such as Welcome Break, Tesco, Macdonalds etc all use ANPR to control traffic stays within their carparks the reasons are simple, either a) They receive money for people parking beyond two hours in the form of fines or b) at the very least keep their car parks clear for customers that are actually at their premises spending money rather than those who have abandoned their cars in the car park in order to hitch a lift from a colleague into work. It’s a win win situation for anyone who offers parking for their customers and the car park management  companies who administer and profit from the ANPR induced fines.

Access control.

Access control is also another use for ANPR camera systems. The ability to open a barrier for only those number plates on the database restricts access and controls security. Access can be given for set periods of time meaning out of hours access is also restricted.

Mobile ANPR cameras are the going to be the next big thing especially amongst asset recovery services so watch this space on that one.

So it seems that ANPR cameras are on the increase and legislation is fairly loose in terms of who can use the data. So for now we will all have to accept that where ever we go someone will be watching our every move!!

Honeywell and Sureview join forces.

Honeywell and Sureview have joined forced to enable Honeywell products to integrate with IMMIX video management software. The first of Honeywell’s products to be integrated will be WIN-PAK access control one of Honeywell’s premium products. The joining of these two companies will in time enable video and intruder alarms to be displayed on one single GUI when mixing different technologies from both Honeywell and other manufacturers.

Honeywell IMMIXIt is proof that open protocols are the way forward with many manufacturers realizing that integrated security requires the use of both new and legacy kit to be used when upgrading customers to fully integrated security systems .

fingerprint scanner from ievo

ievo biometric fingerprint entry readers have been developed over a number of years into the  product we see today.

ievo have designed their fingerprint readers to fit seamlessly into existing card and fob systems making use of the original manufacturers controllers.The fingerprint scanners are able to use the wiegand inputs to send data and information to the existing controllers in the form of IP/data. The fingerprint scanner easily replaces existing card or fob readers thus making the entry point infinitely more secure. The clever design gives installers of access control the opportunity to revisit existing clients and  offer an excellent alternative to traditional methods of secure entry in the form of biometrics.

10 best features of the ievo biometric fingerprint entry scanner.

1) Great aesthetics.

2) Vandal resistant.

3) Reliable.

4) Surface or flush mounted.

5) Comes in various colours to suit the environment.

6) Reads whatever the weather.

7) User friendly.

8 ) Integrates into 3rd party access control systems.

9) IP 65 rated and talks via IP.

10) Paxton compatible.

Great video from the ievo boys, really liked the demonstration where it actually reads under water. Lets be honest water, rain and fingerprint scanners do not normally go together…………well here is the exception to the rule!!

Ring them on +44(0)8456436632

Airport Security Integrated CCTV

As security professionals we need to be able to give our customers the correct information and the reasons why they can benefit from CCTV access control and some of the newer products on the market such as finger print door entry systems and facial recognition. one of the industries that has a real need for extensive security measures is aviation. In the light of the recent incident at East Midlands Airport, Freight forwarders as well as civil aviation companies are looking deeper into what they need to do to prevent a terrorist incident. Below we look at the procedure they should adopt in order to assess their risk and ensure the safety of their passengers and aircraft.

Threat.

What is the treat well this can be defined as the probability of an attack against a particular target that there is a probability that this will occur within a particular time frame.

Type of threat

This is broken down into 5 categories

Low- unlikely

Moderate- possible but not likely.

Substantial- strong possibility

Severe- an attack is highly likely

Critical- is expected imminently.

Once the above has been identified then we need to think about who may perpetrate such an attack.

Who poses a threat?

Terrorists- fanatics

Criminals- for ransom and financial gain

Mentally ill- this may happen for no reason and is likely to be a random event

Revenge- an ex employee is most likely to be behind such an attack.

Protesters-environmentalists have become more and more determined to get noticed and have upped the stakes.

Refuges- asylum seekers desperation is often a factor here

Insider threat- someone who deliberately joins an organisation in order to infiltrate and cause damage. The most dangerous.

In order to secure down an area we need to know what types of threat may occur. Integrated CCTV and access control systems become highly relevant at this point

Types of threat.

Hijacking/or sabotage

Substitution of air cargo

Disguising air cargo as another product.

An attack at the airport terminal itself.

Relevance of the treat.

The level of security needs to be directly related to the level of threat. However the base level of security in place helps to allow extra measures to be put in place when the treat rises. CCTV cameras allow security staff to monitor any perceived treat as they pass through a terminal and monitor any suspicious behaviour.

It is reassuring to know that within the aviation industry constant monitoring of security solutions are in place however as new technology comes along it’s the duty of security professional to bring this into the public domain. Facial recognition is unquestionably a fantastic tool for the future and at integrated CCTV we see this solution being deployed more and more where security needs to be tightly controlled

However things can go wrong and here is a demonstration of why everyone needs to be vigilant