Credential Readers are one of the most visible and noticeable parts of access systems, but installers often stick with only the brand they always use. What other options are in the market? This directory tracks 30+ players in this market and id...
By Brian Rhodes - 16 days ago
For access, there is one basic maxim: Life safety above all else. But how do you know if all applicable codes are being followed? While the basic maxim is simple to understand, many potential variations of rules exist, and access control profes...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 month ago
The Interceptor's Project pressure against UL continues to rise. Following Keith Jentoft's allegation that "UL Has Blood On Their Hands", Jentoft has provided a letter from 36-year alarm veteran Peter Goldring sent to UL. Goldring declares that...
By John Honovich and Brian Rhodes - about 2 months ago
"UL has blood on their hands" alleges Keith Jentoft of "The Interceptor Project". We examined The Interceptor in-depth last year, see: The Interceptor Aims To Fix Vulnerability In Millions of Alarm Systems. Now, we examine Jentoft's allegation...
By John Honovich and Brian Rhodes - 2 months 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 - 3 months ago
For years, Honeywell has depended on Dahua, a company with a poor cybersecurity track record and now banned by the US NDAA, for the development and manufacturing of 'Honeywell' branded IP cameras. Now, after years of silence, Honeywell has spok...
By John Honovich - 4 months 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 - 5 months 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 - 5 months ago
Maglocks divide access control specifiers perhaps more than any other component. Many are concerned about life safety codes, but others cite benefits such as being less expensive. How frequently are maglocks used? 150+ integrators told us how ...
By IPVM Team - 6 months ago
The People's Republic of China (PRC) government has released a new set of overarching standards for authorities to follow when they install video surveillance networks across the country. The standards were drafted over several years by Chinese po...
By Charles Rollet - 7 months ago
For access controlled doors, especially those with maglocks, 'Request to Exit', or 'RTE' devices are required to override electrified locks to guarantee free egress. Inside we examine these key RTE factors: The Common RTE Devices: REX and Pu...
By Brian Rhodes - 7 months ago
ADT's largest authorized dealer, The Defenders, has been sued more than 20 times since 2012, IPVM has verified through analyzing legal records. In February 2019, we examined how ADT And 'The Defenders' Silent About Massive Complaints and was ti...
By Dan Gelinas - 7 months ago
Last week, when we profiled Verkada (The Fastest Growing Video Surveillance Sales Organization Ever - Verkada), we predicted they would raise $40 million. Now, Verkada has raised $40 million at an astounding (for video surveillance standards) $...
By John Honovich - 8 months ago
In the past decade, ONVIF has grown from a reaction to the outside Cisco-lead PSIA challenge, to being the de facto video surveillance standard officially supported by 11,000 products and thousands of more illicitly. Integrators have responded p...
By IPVM Team - 9 months ago
With 40+ years of experience in IT from a wide array of verticals, including US and foreign military, and large corporate and industrial settings, retired IT professional Richard Buckmaster [link no longer available] now applies his years of exper...
By Dan Gelinas - 9 months ago
Installing cables through firewalls is a critical installation issue. Failing to properly seal a penetration can cause smoke and fire to spread, which can be deadly in an emergency. Understanding the parts and methods used to firestop properly ca...
By IPVM Team - 9 months ago
Mobotix has long been criticized for not offering integrated IR, mechanical cut filters, varifocal lenses, optical zoom and other features that have been commonplace for almost all other manufacturers for many years. In 2018, Mobotix announced 'M...
By IPVM Team - 10 months ago
ONVIF is well known within the surveillance industry as an interface to connect IP cameras and VMS systems. However, new users may find it confusing, with questions such as: Is ONVIF a standard? Why ONVIF? What does ONVIF do? What does it ...
By IPVM Team - 11 months ago
Open systems and interoperability have become core features of video surveillance systems, as virtually all professional IP cameras integrate with various 3rd parties for recording, analysis, and management. In addition to IP camera manufacturers ...
By IPVM Team - 11 months ago
Historically, UL listings for central stations have been important, with UL 827 having widespread support. However, few central stations have adopted UL 827B, the companion listing for managed video, which debuted in 2015. In this note, based ...
By Dan Gelinas - 11 months ago
Proving a company is cybersecure has become a major concern for security companies. But how trustworthy are these certificates? Earlier in 2018, a false Hikvision cybersecurity certification announcement caused controversy. And Genetec itself has...
By Dan Gelinas - 12 months ago
Video Intercoms, also known as Video Door-Phones or Video Entry Systems, have been growing in the past decade as more and more IP camera manufacturers enter this segment. This directory tracks the players in this market, contrasts Video Interco...
By IPVM Team - about 1 year ago
Contactless credentials are the most common component used in an access control system and while many look alike externally, important differences exist. Choosing the correct one can be the difference between a secure facility and wasting signifi...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
Power over Ethernet has become one of the most popular features of many video, access, and other security products. See our PoE for IP Video Surveillance Guide and PoE Powered Access Control Tutorial. Now PoE is able to transmit even more power, ...
By Brian Rhodes - about 1 year ago
Proper cable installation is key to trouble-free surveillance systems. However, testing is often an afterthought, with problems only discovered when cameras have problems, resulting in increased troubleshooting, or even worse, reinstallation. Sim...
By John Scanlan - about 1 year ago
