3 January 2020 - Security Buyer Magazine

Qognify launches Ocularis 5.8 Video Management System

Qognify – the trusted advisor and technology solution provider for physical security and enterprise incident management – launches version 5.8 of Ocularis, the award-winning video management system (VMS) for enterprise and corporate projects with an emphasis on tactical real-time operations and live visualisation. In version 5.8, Ocularis has put the user front and centre. One of the numerous improvements is the inclusion of an Ocularis Client MSI Installer, which enables customers to easily push out Ocularis Client updates using the System Centre Configuration Manager (SSCM) from Microsoft, thus greatly reducing time required for software deployments, update and hotfixes across the enterprise. Ocularis 5.8 allows customers to create a comprehensive security environment made up of multiple security-relevant systems and applications communicating with each other. Using a flexible, driver-based approach, the new Event Interface (SEI) breaks new ground to connect third-party security products to Ocularis, addressing the needs of customers who place a premium on their physical security strategy. All events from third-party applications such as access control and intruder alarm systems can now be received and visualised within Ocularis. This provides security personnel with real-time, integrated event information and response capabilities, thus significantly reducing the reaction time during critical incidents. Ari Robinson, Product Owner for Ocularis at Qognify, explains further benefits of the interface: “Technology and solution partners are now able to easily develop plugins to connect Ocularis with their product portfolios, as the SEI is a well-documented and open interface. Especially for corporate and enterprise customers this facilitates a hassle-free implementation of integrated security systems. Setting up an integrated security solution with the SEI immediately provides an added value and also underlines the solution-based approach of Qognify.” Another essential move into this direction is the introduction of the open Analytics Interface (SAI), that allows for the integration of any edge or server-based video analytics or license plate recognition solution on the market, also using a plugin-based approach. Chen Porat, VP R&D at Qognify, explains the strategic importance of these initiatives: “The introduction of the two new interfaces in Ocularis 5.8 is one of the first outcomes of the cross-product initiatives within Qognify, rolling out standard interfaces across the product portfolio and thus delivering tangible added value to as many Qognify customers as possible.” Ocularis 5.8 now supports more than 5,000 different devices from over 80 different hardware manufacturers. New camera functions including better support for cameras with integrated edge storage functionality, have also been introduced into the software, giving customers even more choice when selecting the right hardware for their individual video security application. For more security news visit here.

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Ireland’s oldest police force undertake Police Crime Prevention Academy qualifications

UK Exclusives, UK News Desk / Editor

Belfast Harbour Police, one of the British Isles’ oldest police force, has become the latest to invest in crime prevention qualifications for their staff, with them undertaking the Level 3 Introduction to Crime Prevention qualification delivered by the Police Crime Prevention Academy. Established in 1847, the Belfast Harbour Police (BHP) is one of the oldest police forces in the British Isles and has a long and proud history creating a safe and secure environment for all those who work, live or socialise within Belfast Harbour Estate, as well as the provision of policing and security to shipping and maritime assets in Belfast Harbour. Officers provide 24-hour, 365 response cover to incidents and requests for assistance throughout the 2,000 acre Harbour Estate – an area which equates to one fifth of the size of the City of Belfast. The diverse range of policing requirements and associated crime prevention issues include the commercial port, leading tourist attractions, mixed-use urban regeneration projects and major outdoor events as well as the arrival of 150 cruise ships a year. Speaking on behalf of the Academy, the Head of Learning and Development Guy Collyer, said: “There can be a misconception that only the main territorial police services have a responsibility to prevent crime. It is in fact, a duty for us all. “Belfast Harbour Police and others are leading the way in getting their staff qualified to prevent crime within the areas where they have a responsibility”. Chief Officer Michael Daly from the Belfast Harbour Police, said: “In addition to handling 70% of Northern Ireland’s seaborne trade, Belfast Harbour is also home to a diverse community that includes 760 tenants providing 27,000 jobs. The Harbour Estate is also home to Belfast’s leading tourist attractions, mixed-use urban regeneration projects and major outdoor events. “Last year we facilitated five million visits to Belfast Harbour and as we become ever more integrated with the rest of Belfast city centre, policing will continue to evolve. We are committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone and supporting our customers and tenants.” The Level 3 Introduction to Crime Prevention Award supports officers in the provision of appropriate general crime prevention advice to local communities. It also equips officers with the knowledge and skills that enable them to undertake a structured approach to conducting a site security survey and making suitable recommendations, including suitable security products. The Level 3 Award can be dovetailed into CPD for officers and staff, as well as providing a stepping-stone to the specialist qualification of the Level 4 Certificate in Crime Prevention for Practitioners. After assuming responsibility from the College of Policing for the running of crime prevention and designing out crime courses in the UK, the Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI) Crime Prevention Academy has been delivering a new nationally recognised generation of ProQual approved and OFQUAL accredited qualifications in crime prevention and designing out crime since September 2018. All qualifications are available for Police, Local Authorities, Security Staff and others with an interest in building security such as Fire, Architects and Planners. The qualifications are also available and relevant to the private sector, be it business, retail or industrial settings. For more security news visit here.

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CrowdStrike Global Report uncovers organisations paying hacking ransoms

News Desk / Editor

CrowdStrike Inc., a leader in cloud-delivered cyber security endpoint protection, have shared the UK story behind the 2019 CrowdStrike Global Security Attitude Survey, which includes the attitudes and beliefs of those in charge of cybersecurity, and how they fare against today’s sophisticated cyberattacks. Commissioned by CrowdStrike and produced by independent research firm Vanson Bourne, the study surveyed 1,900 senior IT decision-makers and IT security professionals across 11 countries, including 200 respondents in the UK. Attacks and ransom payments on the rise The number of global organisations paying ransoms from supply chain attacks has more than doubled from 14 to 39% – and in the UK the figure of those who have paid in the past year is now 28%. This is a movement of 100% from last year’s figure (14%). Whilst globally the number of those experiencing supply chain attacks doubled from 16 to 34%, it stands at 42% in the UK – despite organisations fearing supply chain attacks less than this time last year (2019 28% vs. 2018 33%). However, fewer than half of UK organisations (42%) have vetted all new and existing software suppliers in the past 12 months. The UK’s biggest threats The UK is most worried by cyberattacks from groups from Russia (82%), China (74%), and North Korea (67%) – whereas for Germany, for example, China tops the list at 68%. When it comes to defending the organisation, 19.5% in the UK thinks it is critical to understand who the threats are, and for 50% it ‘highly important’. Only 6% in the UK are able to discover the identity of a threat actor after they have attacked/threatened their organisation. 67.5% in the UK believe that they that a better understanding of cyberattacks and the attackers perpetrating them would speed up the detection of cyber incursions and incidents. UK leads threat discovery – but still too slow A brighter note however is that UK organisations average 39 hours to detect an adversary, versus a global average of 120 hours, yet 74% of UK respondents report that in the past year they have been unable to prevent intruders on their networks from accessing their targeted data, with 64% pointing to slow detection as the cause. It takes a global average of 31 hours to contain a cybersecurity incident once it has been detected and investigated – though the UK is one of the fastest regions with an average of 21 hours reported. Breakout time is the critical window between when an intruder compromises the first machine and when they can move laterally to other systems on the network. Organisations should look to follow the 1:10:60 rule (one minute to detect an incident, ten minutes to investigate and determine next steps, and 60 minutes to eject the intruder and clean up). Some of the most notable report findings include that currently, 98% of UK respondents fall short of meeting the three-time standards – globally 94% of respondents fall short. Puzzlingly, only 52% of UK respondents believe they should be placing more emphasis on high-speed detection of cyber security incidents. Challenges such as lack of resources (27%), legacy infrastructure (27%) and a skills gap (25%) were cited as the key factors preventing organisations detecting cyber security incursions and incidents quickly. What’s worrying UK organisations? Phishing and spear-phishing (59%) remain the top security concern for UK organisations over the next 12 months, followed closely by malware (58%) and ransomware (55%). The UK is most worried by adversaries from Russia (82%), China (74%), and North Korea (67%) – whereas for Germany, for example, China tops the list at 68%. 22% of UK respondents say they cannot rule out being the target of a nation-state sponsored cyberattack by any government, including their own. 37% of UK respondents noted a key motivator for a nation-state attack would be to provoke instability within the organisation’s country. John Titmus, Sr Director, Sales & Solution Engineering – EMEA Region, CrowdStrike, said: “Reacting with speed to next-generation, persistent and pervasive threats requires the power of the cloud and crowdsourced data on the real threats facing organisations, whether they are malicious files or from file-less behaviours. The solution to these threats lies within the power of the cloud and AI to leverage vast data sets to spot indicators of attack before those attacks break out and become breaches. Then organisations react at the speed required to beat organised cybercriminals and nation-state adversaries.” For more security news visit here.

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2019 activities of the CTED/UNODC/IAP Global Initiative on Digital Evidence across borders

Exclusives, News Desk / Editor

During 2019, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) co-organized six regional and national workshops around the world about enhancing Cooperation and Strengthening Capacity in Obtaining Digital Evidence from Internet Service Providers (SPs) in Counter-Terrorism and related Organized Crime Cross-Border Investigations. The workshops are within the framework of their joint global initiative on the legal access to digital initiative across borders. Work conducted by CTED and its partners on the Global Initiative is in line with Security Council resolutions 2322 (2016) and 2396 (2017) as well as the Addendum to the Guiding Principles on Foreign Terrorist Fighters (2018). In February, a training was held in South Africa for Cybercrime Focal Points and Central Authorities of the Commonwealth African countries and Ethiopia. A regional workshop held in March, was co-organized with the Commonwealth Secretariat in Australia for countries in South Asia, the Southeast Asia region, and the Pacific Island States. In May, the Global Initiative was introduced to Latin American countries in partnership with the Organization of American States (OAS). In June, a national workshop, organized by partners of the Global Initiative and the Government of Pakistan, was held in Islamabad. Two regional workshops, (one in Malaysia in November 2018 and the other in the Maldives in October 2019), were conducted for countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The last regional workshop of 2019 will take place in December. It is organized in cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and will focus on Central Asian countries. These technical assistance workshops aimed to enhance the capacity of central authorities, prosecutors, and investigators to request, preserve and obtain electronic evidence through international cooperation, including Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) requests and direct requests to communication service providers (CSPs), with the objective of bringing terrorists to justice. Workshop participants included experts from international and regional organizations, as well as representatives from civil society and CSPs. Discussions focused on recent legislative developments in relation to current practices of participating Member States in the gathering and use of electronic evidence; procedures, good practices and challenges for the timely preservation of data; voluntary disclosure requests and emergency disclosure requests; and mutual legal assistance. The workshops also provided an opportunity to introduce and train practitioners on the CTED/UNODC/IAP Practical Guide for Requesting Electronic Evidence Across Borders currently available in English, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Arabic and French versions will be available soon. CTED will continue working collaboratively with UNODC and IAP, as well as other strategic partners of the initiative in supporting Member States to obtain electronic evidence across borders and to enhance international law enforcement and judicial cooperation and cooperation with CSPs. For more security news visit here.

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