ONVIF - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Divan Hotel is a famous five-star hotel located in Erbil, Iraq. It keeps attracting tourists from all over the world with its innovative style, state-of-the-art luxury, and high-standard services. To ensure a secure trip for customers, the hotel found the urgent need to upgrade its security system which had been out of date. Dahua Technology, as a video-centric smart IoT solution and service provider, helped the hotel improve its security system and customer experience. The old cameras in the Divan Hotel had unclear images with poor definition, especially in low-light conditions, while AI functions were absent. Access control system Moreover, the original ANPR cameras for the street were unable to read complete licence plate numbers at night. The old Under Vehicle Surveillance System (UVSS) had stopped working. In important places, there was no access control system for the staff or special personnel. Therefore, removing these security vulnerabilities became one of the priorities for the Divan Hotel. Dahua's customised security solutions have a great reputation for excellent performance and stability Dahua's customised security solutions have a great reputation for excellent performance and stability. The new security system provided to the Divan Hotel includes multiple advanced technologies such as Full-colour, Dahua Security Software Pro (DSS Pro), ANPR, WizSense, access control, smart motion detection, etc. Products including WizSense cameras, Full-colour cameras, and access controllers were installed for better security operation and management. With upgraded H.265 encoding technology, Dahua 4MP lite full-colour fixed-focal bullet network camera has efficient video encoding capacity, which saves bandwidth and storage space. Deep learning algorithm This camera adopts the latest starlight technology and displays better colour image in the condition of low illumination. It supports SD card storage, dust-proof function, waterproof function, and vandal-proof function, complying with the standards of IP67 (Supported by some select models). The 4MP IR fixed focal dome WizSense network camera with advanced deep learning algorithm supports intelligent functions, such as perimeter protection and smart motion detection. The system also applied 24-HDD Enterprise Video Storage (EVS), four-door two-way access controller, RFID reader, and ultra-HD Network Video Decoder (NVD). The EVS is ideal for hotel resorts that demand expansion flexibility, high reliability, and centralised storage management. It is compatible with numerous third-party devices making it the perfect solution for surveillance systems with or without a Video Management System (VMS). High decoding ability With the new security system from Dahua, the Divan Hotel freed its security team from false alarms Its open architecture supports multi-user access and is compatible with ONVIF 2.4. The NVD with ultra-high decoding ability has a plug-in board design, which makes it easy to use and maintain. With the new security system from Dahua, the Divan Hotel freed its security team from false alarms. They could focus on key tasks and react rapidly to timely notifications of unauthorised entrances of people and vehicles into the hotel and other emergencies. The access control system prevented unauthorised visitors in restricted areas, while AI-powered cameras protected the whole resort day and night. The Divan Hotel has spoken highly of Dahua's solution. The feedback said that no problem has ever occurred after the upgrade, thanks to the stability of the system, quick support from the Dahua team, and the integrated software for both the access control system and CCTV cameras.

ONVIF®, the pioneering standardisation initiative for IP-based physical security products, has announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) to preserve the integrity and authenticity of digital video in the evolving fight against content manipulation. The two groups will work together to raise awareness and promote the adoption of open standards that help verify the authenticity of video content across digital video platforms. ONVIF video authentication Content Credentials improve clarity and set end-to-end confidence in the realism of digital assets This initiative aligns the ONVIF video authentication specification with Content Credentials, the open standard published by the C2PA, which is comprised of Microsoft, Adobe, Google, Meta, BBC, and Truepic. Content Credentials enhances transparency and establishes end-to-end confidence in the authenticity of digital assets. This collaboration comes at a time when synthetic media, deepfakes, and AI-generated content are becoming increasingly indistinguishable from authentic footage. The tools that create this fake content pose a significant risk to public trust in video used for law enforcement, corporate security, and legal proceedings as well as in a wide range of digital media products. Content Credentials for video security “We are happy to welcome ONVIF as a liaison member to the C2PA,” said Andrew Jenks, Executive Chair of the C2PA. “As the global standard for provenance, Content Credentials plays a vital role in providing transparency in digital media." "The collaboration with ONVIF and the C2PA brings Content Credentials to video security – an environment where footage must reflect reality without alteration. We’re excited about our work together and the impact of our global, open standards.” Digital key specific to the surveillance camera The video authentication specification set by ONVIF, known as media signing, ensures that video footage The video authentication specification developed by ONVIF, known as media signing, ensures that video footage is cryptographically signed at the point of capture with a digital key specific to the individual surveillance camera.  The signatures are embedded in the video, enabling an authentication tool to verify whether video frames – throughout the chain of custody – have been modified or manipulated since they left the camera. This is critical for video used in court proceedings, law enforcement investigations, and corporate security incidents, where any doubts about the validity of video evidence can undermine outcomes and erode institutional trust. C2PA’s core specification The C2PA’s core specification, Content Credentials, is a technical standard that allows publishers, creators, and consumers to trace the lifecycle of media, beginning from production (such as which camera captured an image, whether it was edited, and when) to consumption (displaying this information on the website or platform where the content appears). Content Credentials embed cryptographically signed, tamper-evident metadata directly into images, video, audio, and documents or stored in a manifest that travels with the content, making any alteration detectable. This metadata acts like a digital “nutrition label,” detailing the content’s origin, history, and any modifications made. Threats from generative AI ONVIF continues to work with its members to expand the number of IP interoperability solutions “Preserving the authenticity of video has never been more important as the threats from generative AI and other means of content manipulation continue to increase exponentially, regardless of industry and use case,” said Leo Levit, Chairman, Steering Committee, ONVIF. “The work of ONVIF to preserve video integrity and the recognition by the C2PA will help build user confidence that recorded video can be verified as genuine and untampered.” IP-based physical security products ONVIF is a pioneering and well-recognised industry forum driving interoperability for IP-based physical security products, with a global member base of established camera, video management system and access control companies and nearly 34,000 profile conformant products. ONVIF offers Profile S for streaming video; Profile G for video recording and storage; Profile C for physical access control; Profile A for broader access control configuration; Profile T for advanced video streaming; Profile M for metadata and events for analytics applications and Profile D for access control peripherals. ONVIF continues to work with its members to expand the number of IP interoperability solutions ONVIF conformant products can provide.

Wavestore announces the release of Wavestore v6.42, the latest iteration of its open-platform video management system (VMS), delivering deeper automation, enriched third-party integrations, and enhanced flexibility for modern security environments. Featuring automatic camera updates, an immediate Break Lock override, precision control via 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse, a new SDK for partners, expanded ONVIF compliance and virtual server support, plus specialised integrations with real-time weight measurement systems and Dahua LPR cameras, v6.42 empowers security professionals to streamline workflows, maximise uptime and unlock actionable insights. The release underscores Wavestore’s commitment to simplifying security operations through intelligent automation and open integration, ensuring each component of the surveillance ecosystem works harder and smarter. New WV2 camera range with ONVIF S, M, T & G Profile Support Interoperability remains at the heart of Wavestore’s open philosophy Interoperability remains at the heart of Wavestore’s open philosophy, which is why v6.42 extends support for ONVIF Profiles S, M, T and G across WV2 cameras. This comprehensive compliance simplifies multi-vendor deployments and ensures consistent performance, no matter which third-party devices are in use. The release underscores Wavestore’s commitment to simplifying security operations through intelligent automation and open integration, ensuring each component of the surveillance ecosystem works harder and smarter. Automatic camera updates for WV2 range Keeping cameras patched and secure can be a constant drain on resources, so v6.42 introduces seamless firmware and software updates directly from the server for Wavestore Vision 2 (WV2) cameras. By automating maintenance tasks, security teams eliminate manual update chores, reduce downtime and guarantee every camera runs the latest, most secure build—without ever interrupting live monitoring. Break lock function for uninterrupted access Configuration bottlenecks in multi-admin environments are a thing of the past thanks to the new Break Lock feature. Administrators can instantly override unattended setup screens, preventing any single workstation from halting progress and ensuring continuous, reliable access to system controls even when teammates step away. 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse integration v6.42 delivers full support for the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse joystick When every second counts, precision matters. v6.42 delivers full support for the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse joystick, allowing operators to pan, tilt and zoom with fluid, ergonomic control. Customisable functions on the device accelerate incident response, reduce operator fatigue and simplify complex multi-screen video review workflows. New SDK for technology partners To help integrators and developers keep pace with evolving security needs, Wavestore has unveiled a brand-new SDK. Technology partners can now build bespoke alerts, tighter event workflows and custom analytics modules directly into the VMS, creating unified solutions that grow alongside each customer’s unique requirements. Virtual server enhancements for cloud-aligned deployments With cloud and hybrid architectures becoming standard, v6.42 brings ONVIF Profile S compatibility to Wavestore’s virtual server. IT and security teams can now scale their VMS across multiple sites within virtualised environments, enjoying centralised management, enhanced resilience, and cost-effective growth without sacrificing any functionality. Dahua LPR camera integration v6.42 offers seamless integration with Dahua LPR cameras, supporting live plate monitoring License-plate data is now more accessible than ever: v6.42 offers seamless integration with Dahua LPR cameras, supporting live plate monitoring and lightning-fast retrospective searches across millions of metadata records. This powerful combination speeds up incident investigations and automates access control workflows, helping security teams act with confidence and speed. Integration with real-time weight measurement systems For industries where weight data is mission-critical—such as logistics, manufacturing, and retail—v6.42 links live video streams with case-weight measurements. This integration delivers a single pane of operational oversight, enabling teams to verify loading accuracy, investigate discrepancies and drive efficiency with data-rich video evidence.

Students deserve a safe and positive environment where they can learn and thrive. Teachers and administrators should be able to focus on their primary role of educating students because they feel supported and protected by a comprehensive security plan. Staff require a clear protocol for responding to emergencies. And parents deserve peace of mind that their children are safe during the school day. One of the tools for safer schools is physical security technology. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can physical security systems make schools safer? 

The most common wearable device deployed by security professionals is the body-worn camera. Traditionally used by law enforcement professionals, these devices are finding more and more uses in the corporate security world, and even impacting issues such as customer service. However, the term “wearables” also encompasses a range of other devices, including many worn by consumers. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are wearable technologies impacting the security market?

While technology like cameras, alarms, and access control systems are crucial components, they are only as effective as the people who use and manage them and the systems that deploy them. When installing physical security systems, the focus should be on the holistic operation of the system rather than the functioning of individual components. However, in the end, overlooking critical factors can undermine the totality of system performance. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most overlooked factor when installing physical security systems?