SSAIB - Experts & Thought Leaders

Skills for Security has continued its collaboration with WorldSkills UK for the 2025 season, announcing the Electronic Security and Fire competitions will be merged into a single category. This strategic move aims to enhance the competition’s impact, broadening the scope for participants to demonstrate expertise in both electronic security and fire safety systems. By integrating these two crucial areas, the competition better mirrors the evolving demands, ensuring future professionals are equipped with comprehensive skills to meet industry needs. Integrated fire safety and security  Says Darrell Gilmour, Director of Technical Training at Skills for Security: “By combining the Electronic Security and Fire competitions, we are ensuring that competitors develop a well-rounded skill set that reflects today’s integrated fire safety and security industry. We believe this evolution will benefit both competitors and the sector as a whole.” Applications for the competition will open at 9:00 AM on 3rd March 2025 and close on 17th March 2025. The National Qualifiers will be held at The Security Event (TSE) on the Skills for Security stand (5/D130) across three dates, bringing together 36 of the most talented competitors from across the UK. Range of training opportunities Skills for Security will also be actively engaging with attendees at the key industry event Skills for Security will also be actively engaging with attendees at the key industry event, highlighting the wide range of training opportunities and initiatives available to support talent development within the fire safety and security sector. David Scott, Managing Director of Skills for Security, added: “It is always a pleasure to host the competition qualifiers at The Security Event, where we can demonstrate the incredible skills and talent emerging." Next generation of security professionals Scott added: "Skills for Security remains committed to nurturing the next generation of security professionals, and this competition is a real opportunity to highlight the importance of continuous training and development in our sector.” The competition is sponsored by the CSL Group, The Security Event and Texecom. With additional support from Eaton, Yuasa Battery, NSI, SSAIB, Fenix Monitoring, Honeywell and Dahua, all of whom are dedicated to supporting excellence and innovation within the fire safety and security sector. The Security Event is taking place 8 – 10 April at NEC Birmingham.

ECHO support for police alarm response in intruder and hold-up alarm activations is running at a rate of over 40,000 incidents per year. It means these incidents have secured a speedier, effectively prioritised response saving typically between 1 and 4 minutes, as estimated by the Metropolitan Police Service.  ECHO connectivity signalling Since launching in April 2021, ECHO connectivity signalling Intruder and Hold-up alarm activations to the police serve 11 ECHO-connected police forces and over 300,000 police-approved alarm systems protecting sites and premises. ECHO’s influence as a deterrent against intruders and hold-up crime is on the rise. ECHO-connected police forces Early in 2023, they were joined by Bedfordshire Police, Kent Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary In 2022, Essex Police, the Met Police, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the City of London Police, and Northumbria Police became ECHO-connected. Early in 2023, they were joined by Bedfordshire Police, Kent Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Northamptonshire Police and Greater Manchester Police.  Reduces response times According to police estimates, ECHO significantly reduces response times to 'confirmed' alarm activations, saving up to four minutes once any of the 37 ECHO-connected ARCs (approved Alarm Receiving Centres) validates alarm signals. ECHO automatically transfers alarm activation signals from the ARCs to police control rooms, replacing legacy manual voice calling procedures, and accelerating ‘stand-down’ of responders where an alarm may be discovered as false before police arrival, in all cases helping improve public safety and police effectiveness.  Impact on police deployment The inroads in the police control room efficiencies and police responders’ impact at the scene of an intruder" Ciaron Irvine, Deputy Chief Constable, Durham Constabulary and NPCC Lead for the Security Systems Group, commented, “Having a direct impact on police deployment and effectiveness at a rate of 40,000 incidents a year is no mean feat!" Ciaron Irvine adds, "The inroads in police control room efficiencies and police responders’ impact at the scene of intruder and hold up incidents in those 11 ECHO-connected forces areas is remarkable. Other forces looking closely at how they can get ECHO-connected are encouraged to do so at the earliest opportunity.” Speedier and more effective alarm response In all up to a million residential and commercial users including retail outlets of professionally installed Intruder and Hold-up alarm systems (installed by NSI or SSAIB-approved installers) are set to benefit as more police forces across the UK get ECHO-connected during 2023/24.  Martin Harvey, Founding Director of ECHO, commented, "Enabling a speedier and more effective alarm response to over 40,000 police response incidents a year is testimony to the impact ECHO is having with just 11 forces ECHO-connected." Improved security He continues, "Looking forward, the countrywide impact is set to be truly remarkable. It justifies the NPCC vision and the security industry’s commitment to delivering improved security in collaboration with the police, assisting efficiency in the deployment of police resources, faster police response, and crime deterrence." Intruder and Hold-up police response alarm systems Martin Harvey adds, "ECHO now supports Intruder and Hold-up police response alarm systems in over 300,000 residential, commercial, and public sector sites and buildings offering homeowners, commercial and publicly operated properties of all sizes a greater degree of assurance with speedier and more effective police response. ECHO is standing by to engage with any police force wishing to prioritise its ECHO connection."  Approved installers are encouraged to check with their ARC providers regarding ECHO support for their customers' Intruder and Hold-up alarm systems.

Amthal has come to the rescue of Katherine Warington School, taking over the support and remote monitoring of fire safety and security services for the benefit of staff, pupils and visitors. Based in Harpenden, Katherine Warington School is a brand-new secondary school that opened in 2019 and welcomed its first cohort of 180 year-seven students in September of that year, before moving into a completed main building in the summer of 2020. Honeywell Gent solution Following a storm that damaged the school’s fire alarm system, the school consulted with Amthal to rectify the situation. Amthal recommended a specialist Honeywell Gent solution to restore the system to full functionality. Amthal continued to monitor the site remotely, working with the management team to service and support security, which included updating the intruder alarm system and access control. Each is now supported to the highest possible standards to create a safe learning environment enabling "every student to make outstanding progress, whatever their starting point.” Safe and secure learning environment It is also developing as a hub for the local area to enjoy and share in our exceptional facilities" Dean Inns, Katherine Warington School’s Business Manager, said: “Our school fosters a learning culture that rewards effort, inspires learning and engenders a shared belief amongst all members of our school that they are equipped to thrive in a changing world. It is also developing as a hub for the local area to enjoy and share in our exceptional facilities." Dean Inns adds, “To achieve this, we must offer a safe and secure learning environment for our staff, pupils and the wider community. This is where Amthal really came into its own, quickly responding when the storm damaged our life safety systems and continuing to work with us to enhance our security. Our continued collaboration reflects our dedication to maintaining a secure and conducive learning environment." Security and fire safety Amthal’s team works closely with Katherine Warington School and continues to monitor security and fire safety on site. Conducting continuous risk assessments, providing bespoke recommendations and delivering training to staff to ensure the seamless integration and maximum utilisation of all safety and security systems in place. Paul Rosenthal, Amthal Sales Director, stated: “Amthal’s expertise in delivering integrated solutions in education settings played a crucial role in securing the project. We were able to identify requirements quickly and efficiently, working around learning environments. The fire safety system, working with our partners at Honeywell Gent ensures early detection capability and enables a prompt response in case of emergencies." Safe educational setting The need for an enhanced intruder alarm was clear, to ensure the protection of the premises" Paul Rosenthal adds, “When we took over the service, support and remote monitoring, the need for an enhanced intruder alarm was clear, to ensure protection to the premises, in and outside of school hours." He continues, "Our continued partnership has also led to us updating the access control on site as the school continues to support young people to thrive, and welcomes its neighbours from the local area to take advantage of the facilities in a safe educational setting.” Advanced security solutions Independently owned, Amthal Fire & Security is dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security safety and convenience offering design, installation, service and remote monitoring of advanced electronic fire and security solutions, including intruder, fire, access and CCTV systems.  Amthal Fire & Security is accredited by the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB), United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) and British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE). 

Public spaces provide soft targets and are often the sites of terrorist or active shooter attacks. Public spaces, by definition, require easy accessibility and unrestricted movement. Given that openness, what security technologies can provide real results? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology innovation impacting the security of public spaces?

The role of video surveillance is expanding, driven by all the new ways that video – and data culled from video – can impact a business. As a growing population of video cameras expands into new fields of view, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most unusual application of surveillance cameras you have seen recently?

Time for an indepth review of IFSEC 2019 in London. This show had fewer exhibitors than previous shows, and the ‘vibe’ was definitely more low-key. Fewer exhibitors meant larger aisles and plenty of room to breathe, and the slower pace provided time for exhibitors to reflect (often negatively) on the return on investment (ROI) of large trade shows. There was little buzz on the first day of the show, but spirits picked up on the second day (when, not coincidentally, some exhibitors served drinks to attendees at their stands). Enterprise security solutions One eye-catcher was smart wireless security provider Ajax Systems’ stylish black stand Many exhibitors compared IFSEC unfavourably to ISC West in the United States and even to Intersec in Dubai. Others seemed willing to be lured back to Birmingham (previous location for IFSEC) to participate in the upstart competitor, The Security Event, next spring. However, not all the IFSEC 2019 reviews were negative. Vaion made the most of their small stand toward the back of the hall. They experienced brisk traffic right up until the end of the show. Happy with the response, the provider of real-time enterprise security solutions reportedly has already committed to IFSEC 2020. Other exhibitors also made the most of their space at IFSEC; one eye-catcher was smart wireless security provider Ajax Systems’ stylish black stand. Vaion made the most of their small stand toward the back of the hall Latest new products Nedap launched a new product, AEOS 2019.1, that is five time faster and more stable than its predecessor. It uses HTML5 – no more reliance on Adobe. Feedback has been good. The company has also increased its integration of open security standards (OSS). Traka showcased smart lockers, which are modular, scalable, and staff can easily replace broken equipment. Product features can be adapted to specific sectors (i.e., retail, prisons). Traka spends 30% of its revenue on research and development, developing their own engineering. The company has seen massive growth in the UK and Europe. Hanwha Techwin lured visitors into the center of their stand with drinks and ice cream, surrounded by the latest new products. Hanwha promoted their investment in a manufacturing facility in Vietnam and showcased Wisenet cameras with enhanced 4K images, digital auto tracking, and less motion blur for clearer images. Video verification product A multi-sensor model captures wide areas with a single camera. Hanwha also offered some value-priced cameras that feature easy self-install and are swappable. Optex launched a new product called ‘the Bridge’, a video verification product that bridges CCTV on a digital video recorder (DVR) to intruder alarms. Hanwha showcased Wisenet cameras with enhanced 4K images UK Surveillance Camera Commissioner Tony Porter announced ‘Security By Default’, a set of minimum requirements that will guarantee users that network video security products are as secure as possible in their default settings right out of the box. Hikvision promoted their support for Secure by Default and expressed hopes the initiative would be embraced by other companies and create a new best practice for camera cybersecurity. Hikvision also promoted their retail solution, which includes on-site redaction for GDPR compliance, shelf detection incorporating artificial intelligence, and use of heat mapping to analyse customer foot traffic. Generating revenue Safety and Security Things (SAST), another IFSEC exhibitor, is in the process of creating an ‘app store’ for the security market. Striving to achieve critical mass with participation by a wide range of systems integrators and manufacturers, SAST has a goal of launching to the public in Q1 next year in time for ISC West. Hanwha Techwin is among the players that have already joined the alliance A pilot version will debut this autumn, and they already have 26 apps and six camera manufacturers toward that goal. With a staff of 120, mostly based in Munich, SAST expects to begin generating revenue in 2020 and to grow rapidly. An investment by Bosch is financing start-up operations. Open Security & Safety Alliance (OSSA) is creating standards and a platform to enable the sale of apps in the security market. Large industry players Hanwha Techwin is among the players that have already joined the alliance, and OSSA is seeking to add other large companies, such as Axis, Genetec and Hikvision. Engaging integrators, app developers and software providers as well as camera manufacturers will generate widespread support to ensure the initiative succeeds. Although currently most OSSA members are based in the EU and Asia, it is a global organisation open to any company in the world. Many large industry players are now missing from the IFSEC show floor; the most noticeable new abstainer this year was Milestone. And the downturn seems likely to continue: Exhibitors were largely noncommittal about returning next year, although organisers were urging them during the exhibition to sign up for 2020.