Hexagon - Experts & Thought Leaders

EG.D, part of the E.ON group, supplies electricity to 2.7 million people in the southern regions of the Czech Republic, on the borders of Austria and Germany. The company operates and maintains infrastructure, including power lines and high-voltage transformer substations. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2024, global electricity consumption increased nearly two times the annual average of the past decade. How LiDAR technology could be used EG.D wanted to assess how volumetric and LiDAR technology could be used to bolster the physical security At the same time, new regulations such as the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive, which will come into force across all European Union Member States in July 2026, and Germany’s KRITIS Umbrella law, are being introduced to guide organisations responsible for national critical infrastructure in ensuring their resilience in the face of existing and emerging threats.  A longtime Hexagon customer, EG.D wanted to assess how volumetric and LiDAR technology could be used to bolster the physical security of its substations. For this, it chose Hexagon’s HxGN dC3 LidarVision. Ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure For energy providers, transformer substations are an integral component of the energy grid, securely and reliably transmitting electricity to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, etc., at the correct voltage. Major incidents involving substations are rare, due to the rigorous monitoring, maintenance, safety and security measures in place. However, when a situation arises, it can cause significant problems, as was highlighted in early 2025 when a fire at a site in the UK interrupted power to 5,000 homes and affected a large international airport. LiDAR-based 3D surveillance technology EG.D chose to embark on a pioneering pilot project that would test the capabilities Until recently, best practice for safeguarding unmanned substations focused on traditional forms of perimeter protection using fencing (typically steel and passive infrared sensors), alarms, remote monitoring via CCTV cameras and an access control system (often operated via a card or biometrics to manage authorised entrance). However, EG.D decided to embark on a pioneering pilot project that would test the capabilities of the very latest in LiDAR-based 3D surveillance technology. A pilot project for improved substation safety and security Tomáš Sofka, security technologies at EG.D explained, “We have partnered with Hexagon for many years in the field of GIS and were particularly impressed by their innovative solutions in volumetric detection and LiDAR technology." "We wanted to assess how the technology could be used to provide stronger security to keep unauthorised people out of substations, locate intruders and improve safeguards for maintenance personnel while they are working on-site near high-voltage equipment.”  HxGN dC3 LidarVision was the solution chosen for the project. This advanced 3D surveillance software solution is based on volumetric detection technology and is designed to secure entire sites, unlike traditional perimeter protection systems, which tend to concentrate only on the fence line. Five LiDAR sensors The project uses five strategically placed LiDAR sensors that enable the virtual creation of secure The project uses five strategically placed LiDAR sensors that enable the virtual creation of secure, safe and sterile zones (including the perimeter fence). Crucially, these zones can be switched on and off or changed at the click of a button or drag of the mouse. For example, when maintenance is being carried out, the zone in which the work is taking place can be deactivated. Meanwhile, other areas remain live to prevent workers from straying into an unauthorised or potentially hazardous area.  EG.D’s security control room Authorised personnel and trespassers can also be automatically monitored and tracked via a live, real-time feed into EG.D’s security control room. Furthermore, the system recognises the number of people and their precise positions, along with their speeds and directions of movement (if walking or running) and even their projected trajectories.  This can be augmented further with PTZ cameras, alarms and speaker systems to communicate with the person(s) in question.  Resilience of safety and security measures Another significant benefit of this type of system is the ability to create a digital twin for every substation Another significant advantage of this type of system is the ability to create a digital twin for every substation. In doing so, scenarios can be played out virtually to test the resistance and resilience of safety and security measures.  Essentially, it creates a 3D representation/map of the entire facility that they can interact with. It enables the positioning of LiDAR sensors and cameras to be optimised to mitigate potential blind spots or poor viewing angles before anyone steps on site.  The system can be enhanced further using thermal sensors and cameras that monitor the temperature of designated areas and raise an alert if it deviates from the norm. This is valuable for intrusion detection (whether human or animal) and the early detection of fire, before it begins to smoke or ignite. Setting a new standard that is gaining worldwide attention  “Our experience working with Hexagon has been exceptional. The collaboration was exemplary and professional throughout all phases of the project,” said Sofka. “The response of the management team to the pilot operation has been overwhelmingly positive and we highly recommend Hexagon to other organisations.” As a result of the pilot’s success, EG.D and Hexagon are working together on a plan to roll out HxGN dC3 LidarVision to other energy facilities across the grid. The company is also actively sharing its knowledge with other national energy companies, including those in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific region, which are considering this new approach as the possible gold standard for substation resilience, safety and security.

In what is fast becoming a calendar highlight, members of the Gallagher Security Australia team, together with their Channel Partners, End Users, Technology Partners, and Consultants took to the green on Thursday for their third annual Charity Golf Day event, raising money for child protection organisation, Bravehearts.   More than 130 people turned out to The Palms Golf Course at Sanctuary Cove in Queensland for an action-packed 18 holes, and their efforts were rewarded, with this year’s event raising AUD $57,000 to support Bravehearts, as they continue their vital work dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse, a crime experienced by one in four Australians. Gallagher raised in previous years Gallagher raised the bar on previous years, with Thursday’s event recording the highest donation Together with their sponsors, ADT Security, Assa Abloy, B&R Enclosures, Convergint, Hexagon, Optic Security, PMT, Salto, Securcom, Seme Solutions, and Traka, along with Print Partner, CV Services Group, Gallagher raised the bar on previous years, with Thursday’s event recording the highest donation tally to date and the largest pool of players.  Gallagher Security Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific (APAC) and India, Middle East, and Africa (IMEA), Craig Schutte, says, “We are thrilled with the success of this year’s event and are grateful for the continued support of our sponsors and all those who took part last week." Longstanding support of Bravehearts Schutte added: "Coming together to positively impact and support the critically important work of Bravehearts is something we remain firmly committed to, and I’d like to thank everyone who took part for their support and participation at this year’s event.”  “As a company, people are the cornerstone of everything we do, and we are committed to continuing our longstanding support of Bravehearts and together unlocking more opportunities to improve the lives of Australian children impacted by sexual abuse.”  Gallagher's wider security industry’s support Bravehearts CEO, Alison Geale says, "Bravehearts is deeply appreciative of the ongoing support from the Gallagher Security Australia team, whose contributions continue to play a vital role in sustaining our services."  “Their commitment, particularly through their annual Charity Golf Day, helps address funding gaps, ensuring the continued delivery of our support, and the expansion of our work in Australian schools and early learning centres."  “We are grateful for Gallagher and the wider security industry’s support. It is instrumental in advancing our mission to provide a coordinated approach to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse."  Gallagher’s 2025 Charity Golf Day Gallagher’s 2025 Charity Golf Day marked the largest fundraising event held by one of Bravehearts Bravehearts National Partnerships Manager, Kylie Hewitt, was delighted to note that Gallagher’s 2025 Charity Golf Day marked the largest fundraising event held by one of Bravehearts’ partners since it was established over 25 years ago.    “$57,000 goes an extremely long way at Bravehearts. It can fund 380 specialist trauma-informed counselling sessions for children affected by sexual abuse. It can also help Bravehearts educate over 4,750 children about personal safety, which could change the trajectory of children’s lives,” says Kylie. Introduce the Platinum Sponsor  Gallagher Security, National Events Manager, Nicola Johnson, was pleased to host the event after it was unfortunately postponed earlier this year due to inclement weather.   “Our Charity Golf Day is an annual highlight, and one the team proudly gets behind. Since its inception in 2023, we’ve seen support for the event increase year-on-year, and we simply could not do it without our sponsors. This year we’re proud to introduce our Platinum Sponsor, Securcom, whose support of Bravehearts has been integral over the years,” says Nicola.   Queensland businesses stepped with donations Nicola added: “Alongside this, several community-minded Queensland businesses stepped forward with donations for a highly sought after raffle to boost the amount we could fundraise for Bravehearts." "Worth over $7,000, our thanks go to Balter Brewing, Burleigh Brewing Co, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Drummond Golf Biggera Waters, Gemelli Broadbeach, Holy Ship, Johnson Controls, Kendor Distillery, Porsche Centre Gold Coast, Ray White Shore Group, Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club, Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, Stratus and Vela Estate for their generous support.”   Gallagher’s local Channel Partners Bravehearts relies on the support and fundraising initiatives of companies and individuals As a not-for-profit organisation operating for more than 25 years, Bravehearts relies on the support and fundraising initiatives of companies and individuals to enable them to continue the work they do in the community.    Gallagher’s local Channel Partners were encouraged to bring along their customers to support the cause and benefit from the opportunity to network with like-minded businesses and industry suppliers.  Gallagher’s ongoing relationship In addition to Gallagher’s Charity Golf Day event, Gallagher’s ongoing relationship with Bravehearts, which began in 2022, includes supporting the annual Bravehearts Ball, Bravehearts’ own golf day, and the ongoing support and maintenance of the Gallagher security system donated and installed at Bravehearts HQ in 2022, in conjunction with Gallagher Security Certified Channel Partner and Platinum Sponsor of this year’s golf day, Securcom.

Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division launches HxGN dC3 Video | Cloud, a new AI-enhanced, cloud-based video management system that enables more agile and resilient surveillance operations. With the increasing availability of reliable high-bandwidth connections, organisations are adopting a cloud-first strategy and turning to video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) for physical security, especially in distributed installations with many sites. The new cloud offering broadens the HxGN dC3 portfolio, Hexagon’s comprehensive ecosystem of physical security solutions, to provide organizations multiple deployment options and added benefits, such as increased scalability, real-time updates, and reduced operating costs. HxGN dC3 Video | Cloud HxGN dC3 Video | Cloud allows users to view, manage, and control video feeds from anywhere HxGN dC3 Video | Cloud allows users to view, manage, and control video feeds from anywhere. The platform also supports a broad spectrum of IP cameras from multiple vendors, avoiding dependence on any specific hardware. Video analytics leveraging generative AI significantly speeds up investigations by delivering insights through features like object tracking and behaviour analysis. Generative AI also simplifies tasks such as monitoring, searching, and identifying actionable insights with seamless, natural-language interaction with the application. Robust security operations With end-to-end encryption, granular access controls, and compliance with global regulations, HxGN dC3 Video | Cloud supports robust security operations in health care, finance, retail, campus, public safety, and other enterprise organisations. “HxGN dC3 Video | Cloud represents a significant leap forward in video surveillance technology,” said Mladen Stojic, president of security for Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division. “By combining the scalability and flexibility of the cloud with advanced AI-driven analytics, we’re empowering organisations to enhance their security operations with unprecedented efficiency, agility and insight.”

In the old days, hopping onto the platform from a not-yet-stopped train was a commonplace stunt for daily commuters in a hurry. It was a thrilling, but dangerous part of railway travel. Today, rail travel is generally much safer, but thrill and fame seekers are finding new, creative ways to use the railway to court notoriety online. Earlier this month, a young man filmed himself laying on the tracks and allowing a train to pass over him. In another instance, two people were seen misusing a level crossing to get an 'Instagram worthy' picture. Meanwhile, the media has recently reported stories from Austria to Australia of people (and in some cases children) being seriously hurt or killed whilst attempting to train surf. Safety and security of the railway Safety and security have always been a top priority for railways and supporting agencies For rail companies, such incidents cause great distress and bring often unjust headlines that question the level of safety and security of the railway. Then, of course, there is the impact on the timetable when incidents cause significant delays.  The ramifications of just one incident can be significant, as illustrated by a case in February when a track trespasser caused 16 trains to be cancelled and a further 54 to be partially cancelled at the cost of approximately 600,000 euros. Despite the negative stories, safety and security have always been a top priority for railways and supporting agencies. The British Transport Police, for example, traces its origin back to 1830 when the force was established following the death of a member of Parliament, who was struck by a passing train after alighting onto the track of the newly opened Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Modern surveillance Today, trains, platforms, yards, level crossings and sections of track are monitored by some of the very latest technology hardware and software, from high-definition cameras with built-in advanced video analytics capabilities to PSIM (physical security information management) systems that can be used to orchestrate a response to anything from a trespasser on the line to a major derailment. Even with all these systems, the sheer scale of rail networks means it is simply not possible to always have eyes everywhere. True of video analytics If a driver spots someone or something on the line and immediately applies the emergency brake What’s more, whilst the technology continues to make huge leaps forward, affordability and usability can limit their effectiveness. This has been especially true of video analytics and object detection, where distinguishing between a human trespasser or an animal can be challenging, especially in low light (a particular issue with passenger and freight trains running round the clock). With trains moving at a high speed, early detection is everything. If a driver spots someone or something on the line and immediately applies the emergency brake, it could take the train as much as one mile to come to a stop. LiDAR to the rescue So, what can be done to improve response times for drivers and other stakeholders? One recommendation is to focus on key sections of the rail network that provide easier access for trespassers, such as stations, platforms, tunnels, bridges and level crossings, where more than a quarter of all significant accidents occur on EU railways. This is already standard operating procedure for most rail companies. However, a growing number are going beyond the 'standard' safety and security measures, with the introduction of high-tech solutions such as 3D LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors. This technology is already familiar to the rail industry. It has been used for some time in applications ranging from surveying environments in preparation for building high-speed rail networks to mapping railway tracks and surrounding infrastructure for ongoing maintenance works. Management of virtual perimeters LiDAR enables the creation and management of virtual perimeters and/or safe zones In the context of safety and security on the railway, LiDAR enables the creation and management of virtual perimeters and/or safe zones with pinpoint accuracy. A good example would be at level crossings where a high volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic crosses the track when the barrier is raised, but it must be clear for rolling stock to pass safely. LiDAR sensors can be programmed to automatically switch on minutes before a train is scheduled to pass through the crossing and turned off after it has cleared the area. During this time, any movement detected with this ‘live zone’ would create an alert in the control room. Further layer of protection The addition of cameras would provide a real-time feed of the situation, enabling the control room operator to act. That could involve sending a message via a public address system to clear the area, alerting the approaching train driver to take appropriate action, and alerting emergency services and maintenance teams if there is a vehicle, animal or other blockage on the track. The investment many rail operators have made in PSIM and CAD (computer-aided dispatch) can add a further layer of protection. These systems provide the operator not only with guidance regarding the next best action but also automatically triggered responses to orchestrate the entire incident management process. Protecting critical infrastructure All of these pieces of rail infrastructure and the joint network stand to benefit from the use of LiDAR Level crossings are a good example of environments where it is not viable to have round-the-clock live surveillance, but monitoring is essential at key times. It is a similar case for stations late at night, bridges and depots, all of which are susceptible to acts of trespass, vandalism (particularly graffiti) and theft. All of these pieces of rail infrastructure and the collective network stand to benefit from the use of LiDAR, as incidents are prevented or their impact mitigated in terms of the effect on the timetable, negative publicity, fines and the costs of investigations. Latest Report on Railway Safety and Interoperability The latest Report on Railway Safety and Interoperability in the EU stated that “European railways remain among the safest in the world, with major accidents becoming rare and significant accidents decreasing in the last two decades.” This good news is heightened by the fact that more people than ever in Europe are choosing to let the ‘train take the strain’, with passenger numbers reaching record levels. However, whilst passengers may no longer be swinging open train doors and jumping from moving carriages just to get to work a few seconds earlier, the risks on the railways have evolved. With more rolling stock travelling at higher speeds on lines old and new, there is a need to revisit the traditional methods of safeguarding areas on the network, to deter, detect and protect against those seeking fame, infamy or gain.

The sale of Carrier’s Global Access Solutions to Honeywell in December amounted to a dramatic finish to a big year in 2023 for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the physical security market. In the transaction between two industry giants, Honeywell sought to enhance and strengthen its building automation capabilities with the acquisition of Carrier’s Global Access Solutions business for $4.95 billion, in an all-cash transaction. Honeywell acquires Carrier Access business  The acquisition, which includes both hardware and software solutions, will mean a new corporate owner for the LenelS2 brand, a pioneering business for over 25 years in commercial and enterprise access solutions, including well-known offerings Onguard and Netbox. In addition, the acquisition covers the Onity brand of electronic locks, including hospitality access, mobile credentials, and self-storage access; and the Supra brand of cloud-based electronic real estate lockboxes.  ADT sells commercial business, which rebrands as Everon  ADT Inc. announced the sale of its commercial security, fire, and life safety business unit to GTCR ADT Inc., another industry giant and a trusted brand in smart home and small business security, announced the sale of its commercial security, fire, and life safety business unit to GTCR, a private equity firm, for a purchase price of $1.6 billion.  ADT Commercial, a security integrator and premier provider of commercial security, fire, and life safety in the United States, announced that it will move forward as a standalone organisation and rebrand as Everon.  Bosch to sell building technologies products  Bosch Building Technologies announced in 2023 that it is realigning its Building Technologies division to focus solely on its regional integrator business, with solutions and services for building security, energy efficiency, and building automation. Therefore, Bosch plans to sell most of the Building Technologies division’s product business. At year-end, Bosch was seeking a buyer who would take on all three business units with their associates and locations. This includes the Video, Access and Intrusion, and Communication business units, and affects some 4,300 associates at more than 90 locations worldwide. Building its integrator business earlier in 2023, Bosch announced the acquisition of Paladin Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, a provider of security and life safety solutions and system integration services in North America. Motorola acquires IPVideo, creator of HALO Sensor In another deal emerging late in 2023, Motorola Solutions acquired IPVideo Corp., Bay Shore, N.Y., the creator of the HALO Smart Sensor, an all-in-one intelligent sensor that detects real-time health and safety threats. The powerful capabilities of the HALO sensor extend Motorola’s end-to-end physical security offering by integrating a non-video threat detection product into the safety and security ecosystem. IDIS acquires Costar Technologies  Costar has a sales channel of over 100 distributors and 1,000 systems integrators across the U.S. Korean video manufacturer IDIS and U.S. company Costar Video Systems had enjoyed a long-term existing ODM (original design manufacturer) relationship, and approximately 60% of Costar Video products were already made by IDIS. Therefore, it made sense when IDIS Co., Ltd. and Costar Technologies Inc. announced an agreement and plan to merge, with IDIS acquiring Costar. Leveraging Costar's established distribution networks and sales channels in the U.S. gives a significant boost to IDIS' growth strategy, which is founded on building long-term relationships with systems integrators. Costar has a sales channel of over 100 distributors and 1,000 systems integrators across the U.S. that will benefit from IDIS’ NDAA-compliant and 100% Korean-made technology. SECOM invests in Brivo and Eagle Eye  Eagle Eye Networks, a cloud video surveillance company, and Brivo, a provider of cloud-based access control and smart space technologies, announced one of the largest investments to date in cloud physical security in 2023.  SECOM CO., LTD, based in Japan and one of the largest security integration companies in the world, has made a primary equity investment of $192 million in the two companies, $100 million in Eagle Eye Networks, and $92 million in Brivo. $100M primary equity investment Brivo will also use the additional investment to continue expanding in Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific Eagle Eye Networks, a global pioneer in cloud video surveillance, announced it will use the $100M primary equity investment to expand its suite of AI-powered products, fund geographic expansion, and enhance its enterprise features.  Brivo will use the investment to grow sales and marketing, accelerate product development scale support and operational functions, and evaluate strategic acquisitions. Brivo will also use the additional investment to continue expanding in Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, and enhance the smart spaces and AI functionality in the Brivo Access Platform.  ACRE buys PremiSys Portfolio  ACRE, a security company built on acquisitions, is continuing to broaden its portfolio and serve the expanding needs of its customer base. In 2023, ACRE acquired the PremiSys software and hardware portfolio and assets from IDenticard.  PremiSys’ technologies enable organisations to self-manage door access and view integrated video and lockdown facilities. The acquisition extends opportunities for ACRE in healthcare, education, data centers, and senior living facilities.  Qognify is a part of Hexagon  Qognify extends Hexagon’s real-time monitoring and security reach to detect, assess, and respond Qognify, a provider of video (VMS) and enterprise incident management (EIM) solutions announced that it has become a part of Hexagon. Qognify joins the Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division of Hexagon, following the completion of its acquisition originally announced on Dec. 19, 2022.  Qognify extends Hexagon’s real-time monitoring and security reach to detect, assess, and respond to incidents, providing a more robust offering. ASSA ABLOY continues acquisition trend  ASSA ABLOY continued to acquire companies in 2023 to strengthen its position in mature markets by adding complementary products and solutions to the core business. Among the companies acquired in 2023 were Ghost Controls, a U.S. supplier of automated residential gate openers, and Securitech Group, a manufacturer of high-security mechanical and electronic door hardware products in the U.S.  Door and fencing ASSA ABLOY also acquired Leone Fence, a Canadian manufacturer, distributor, and installer of fencing products for commercial and residential applications, and Lawrence Hardware and Gallery Specialty, providers of commercial hinges, locksets, exit devices, and door hardware accessories in Canada. Another new acquisition is Inovadoor Portas Industriais Ltda, a Brazilian manufacturer of sectional and high-speed doors.  Earlier in 2023, ASSA ABLOY completed the acquisition of Spectrum Brands’ Hardware and Home Improvement division and the divestment of Emtek and the Smart Residential business in the U.S. and Canada to Fortune Brands.