The physical security of access control components is critical to ensuring that a facility is truly secure. Otherwise, the entire system can be circumvented or shut down by an adversary. In most cases, if done correctly, adding layers of securi...
By Brian Rhodes - 11 months ago
Camera focus is fundamental to quality imaging. Mistakes can significantly reduce details, making cameras less effective. In this guide, we explain focus issues and proper procedure, covering: Fixed vs. Varifocal Cameras Auto vs. Manual Foc...
By IPVM Team - 12 months ago
Cable whips are one of integrator's least favorite camera features but seem to be unavoidable, now commonplace on dome, turret, and bullet cameras from low end to high. In this report we look at the four key reasons cable whips are so disliked ...
By John Scanlan - 12 months ago
Understanding wide dynamic range (WDR) is critical to capturing high quality images in demanding conditions. However, with no real standards, any manufacturer can claim WDR, and many do even if actual performance is weak, causing confusion for eve...
By Ethan Ace - 12 months ago
In emergencies, determining where employees are located can be critical for knowing whether they are in danger. Access systems can be used for reporting employee locations, also called 'mustering'. In this guide, we examine the strengths, weakn...
By Brian Rhodes - 12 months ago
One of access's primary goals is keeping people out of places they should not be, but slipping through open doors (ie: Tailgating) is often easy. For high security locations, strict access controls often require the physical opening itself to h...
By Brian Rhodes - 12 months ago
Access control systems can do more than lock doors. With little or no extra equipment, they can be used to track labor hours for employees too. In this guide, we examine how access can also be used for 'Time & Attendance' including: How ...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
In the access control market, there are many software platforms, but only a few companies that make non-proprietary door controllers. Recently, Axis released a 3rd party-only controller and Isonas joined 'Openness' ranks, while HID purchased Me...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
Users can lose badges, but they never misplace a finger, right? The most common biometric used in access are fingerprints, and it has become one of the most trusted credentials used for access. However, the biometric has limitations, often is ...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
Mobotix recently became the first video surveillance manufacturer to receive the CNPP cybsersecurity certification for its cameras, in which they originally declared a "guarantee of IT and electronic resistance to cyber-attacks." But who is CNP...
By Charles Rollet - about 1 year ago
One of the biggest trends in access for the last few years has been the marriage of mobile phones and access cards. But how does this work? Based on our mobile access control shootout, in this guide, we examine: BLE vs NFC vs Apps comparison...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
Even as the GDPR strictly regulates biometrics, a UK company called Facewatch is selling anti-shoplifter facial recognition systems to hundreds of retailers. Facewatch even keeps a database of suspects, only deleting profiles after two years "if y...
By IPVM Team - about 1 year ago
Biometrics are commonly used in phones, but how frequently are they used for access? 150+ integrators told us how often they use biometrics, when, and why. Inside this report, we examine the trends and the key reasons for and against them.
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
Milestone is touting that its latest XProtect VMS is "GDPR-ready" with a 'European Privacy Seal'. However, our investigation raises significant concerns over the applicability and suitability of this. In this post, we examine Milestone's "GDPR ...
By Charles Rollet - about 1 year ago
A heated access debate surrounds who should pick and install the locks. While responsible for selecting the control systems, integrators often struggle getting locks to work when others supply them. So we asked integrators 'What percentage of you...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
The highest-level EU data protection authority has issued a new series of provisional video surveillance guidelines. While GDPR has been in effect for more than a year, how it applies to video surveillance has often been unclear, as we explaine...
By Charles Rollet - about 1 year ago
For years, HD resolution and single cable signal/power were IP camera advantages, with analog cameras limited to much lower resolution and requiring separate power and video cables. However, in new HD analog cameras, AHD, CVI, and TVI have made si...
By IPVM Team - about 1 year ago
3mm, 6mm, 2.8 - 9mm, 5 - 50mm, etc. Camera specifications often list lens lengths but what do they mean? These metrics are important in determining the correct camera coverage and Field of View (FoV). In this tutorial, we look at: What lens...
By IPVM Team - about 1 year ago
OSDP certainly offers advantages over decades-old Wiegand (see our OSDP Access Control Guide) but new IPVM statistics show that usage of OSDP, even in new readers, is extremely low. Inside this report, we examine the trends and the key reasons ...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
The French government has imposed a sizeable fine on a small business for violating the GDPR after it constantly filmed employees without informing them and kept poor encryption practices. It marks the first ever GDPR video surveillance fine ever ...
By Charles Rollet - about 1 year ago
IPVM's new 400+ page Mid-Year Industry Guide brings all of these issues and events together in a single resource to read and review. It can be requested inside. All chapters come from reports published on IPVM. Below is a list of those reports,...
By IPVM Team - about 1 year ago
California based Farpointe Data has been a significant OEM supplier of conventional access readers for years to companies including DMP, RS2, DSX, Keri, and Sielox, and recently announced mobile credentials and readers. So how well does the produ...
By Brian Rhodes - over 1 year ago
The 259 page PDF guide may be downloaded inside by all IPVM members. It includes our manufacturer favorability rankings and individual manufacturer favorability coverage. Download the 2019 Security Manufacturer Favorability Guide PDF Note...
By IPVM Team - over 1 year ago
Access control readers and controllers need to communicate. While Wiegand has been the de facto standard for decades, OSDP aims to solve major problems of Wiegand. In particular, OSDP's benefits: Bidirectional Communication, Including reader...
By Brian Rhodes - over 1 year ago
News reports touting the PRC's AI prowess often showcase facial recognition cameras being used to automatically catch and fine jaywalkers. In this report, we explain how the technology works and examine how common/effective the systems actuall...
By Charles Rollet - over 1 year ago
