Nedap stood out at this year’s Intersec Middle East (20-22 January) – not just because of the advanced products that were introduced but the novel way they were presented. Nedap showcased innovations such as its AEOS end-to-end security and the upgraded MACE platform using augmented reality on iPads. It is an approach that enables people to see how this technology works in real life, and will help Nedap to continue its growth in this region.
Securing the security system
Nedap’s new end-to-end security for its AEOS access control system is designed to protect your physical access control system for cyber-attacks and card cloning. It meets the highest security requirements globally by applying the IT security principles of encryption and strong authentication. It stores DESFire keys and digital certificates safely out of reach of attackers in Secure Access Modules (Sans). This means communication between door controllers and server is secure, which prevents hackers cloning access card or opening doors remotely using unauthorized IP devices. It also allows you to update card keys and certificates securely from one central point.
Putting smartphones at the heart of smart security
The other key development shown at Intersec was Nedap’s upgraded MACE platform,. This allows you to use your mobile phone as an access card and it can be set up for use with any access control system, saving on cost for physical access cards. It is especially convenient for visitors as it enables the use of QR codes. However, it also makes life much more convenient for employees, who are less likely to lose or forget their smartphone than an access card. And the latest upgrade means organisations can now use MACE to create their own apps.
Leading with long-range vehicle identification
Nedap’s growth in the Middle East has been strong among governments and the oil and gas industry. In particular, Nedap leads the market in this region for vehicle identification, using long-range readers. Its technology secures the world tallest tower the Burj Khalifa, for example, but is also used for much smaller applications such as parking at residential buildings.
Early adopters in the Middle East
When asked why the Middle East is renowned for adopting innovation early, Jochem van Ruijven, Managing Director at Nedap in the Middle East says: “People work with real vision in the Middle East and the countries make everything available to turn vision into reality. An example of this is that in 2018 the King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia and our partner Secutronic won an Intersec award using Nedap’s smart security technology. It’s a gated smart city that’s protected by access control, but where you can travel freely using Nedap’s smart security. The Technology helps rather than hinders you. This is something I haven’t seen anywhere else- where people take a vision like that and invest in it to make it happen. ”
Intersec at the centre of security
He goes on to explain why it’s so important for Nedap to be at Intersec Middle East: ‘If you want to mean anything in the security business in the Middle East, you have to be at Intersec. For us, Intersec has been incredibly important over the years. We’ve increased our presence here year on year and, as consequence, our business has grown in the region. It’s not just about meeting customers, it’s about networking and exchanging knowledge with your technology partners and system integrators. That’s why we’re here from first thing in the morning to last thing at night.”
