Home Article In brief: Allegion adds Overly, Absolute boosts AI, DICE integrates AURA

In brief: Allegion adds Overly, Absolute boosts AI, DICE integrates AURA

By SSN Staff

Updated 8:26 AM CDT, Wed October 14, 2026

DUBLIN—Allegion plc has acquired Overly Door Company, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of specialty high-security doors, strengthening its non-residential product portfolio across government, education and healthcare markets.

Founded in 1888 and headquartered in Greensburg, Pa., Overly manufactures custom acoustic, blast-resistant, bullet-resistant and vault security doors. The company's offerings complement Allegion's existing hollow metal doors and frames business.

Overly will operate within Allegion Americas under the leadership of Senior Vice President Dave Ilardi.

“Overly is a great addition to Allegion, bringing another century of experience, talented experts and a specialty portfolio aligned with what we’re known for, making critical, complex environments more secure and accessible,” Ilardi said. “Together, we will specify and supply a broader range of custom door solutions across core non-residential markets.”

Overly leaders Tyler Reese and Jonathan Reese will join Allegion to help support the transition of the business.

“Overly has built its reputation on uncompromising quality and service in high-security markets,” Jonathan Reese said. “We share that same commitment with Allegion, and we’re confident our combination will drive new value and greater efficiency for our operations and our customers.”

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Absolute doubles down on AI security with FirmGuard deal

SEATTLE—Absolute Security has acquired Phoenix Technologies’ FirmGuard business, adding firmware security, management and networking capabilities designed to help enterprises secure artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, endpoints and autonomous agents.

The acquisition expands Absolute’s firmware-based cyber resilience platform with additional visibility, integrity verification, posture management, patching and compliance capabilities at the BIOS and UEFI firmware level. The company said the combined offering will provide organizations with stronger control and recovery capabilities for AI-enabled environments.

“AI-driven threats and fragility are disrupting enterprises from the cloud to the endpoint,” said Christy Wyatt, president and CEO of Absolute Security. “Full resilience requires visibility, control, security, and recovery capabilities in the device hardware.”

Absolute said the move comes as firmware attacks continue to grow and organizations face increasing pressure to secure AI deployments. Because firmware operates below the operating system, it is often viewed as a critical layer for device management, recovery and security, while also representing a target for sophisticated cyberattacks.

The company’s Persistence technology is embedded in firmware through partnerships with OEMs including Dell, HP and Lenovo, providing a connection to devices that enables management, security and recovery functions even when operating systems become compromised or fail. Absolute said it is also working with NVIDIA and HP to extend these capabilities to AI workstations and autonomous agents.

Through the integration of FirmGuard, customers will gain expanded below-the-operating-system management, continuous firmware integrity monitoring and patching, additional secure data-wipe capabilities and a unified firmware-to-cloud management console, according to the company.

“We built FirmGuard to make firmware protection simple and secure,” said Gerard Moore, president and CEO of FirmGuard. “With FirmGuard integrated into Absolute, customers can remain confident their AI devices will stay secure, compliant, and running.”

Terms were not disclosed. Boston Meridian Partners served as financial advisor to Phoenix Technologies on the transaction.

DICE integrates AURA guard response into monitoring platform

BAY CITY, Mich.—DICE Corp. has integrated AURA's private security response platform into its alarm monitoring and dispatch software, enabling monitoring centers to dispatch licensed security guards directly from the DICE interface during alarm or verified video events. Clear Response Monitoring and Clear Watch are the first monitoring centers to deploy the integration, allowing their dealer partners to offer on-demand guard response as an additional recurring service without managing their own response personnel. AURA connects alarm events to a network of state-licensed private security providers and dispatches the nearest available responder through its 24/7 control room. According to the company, its proximity-based dispatch model delivers an average response time of 18 minutes. The integration is built on DICE's PSAP Connect broker, the dispatch platform that connects monitoring centers to more than 700 public safety answering points (PSAPs). With the addition of AURA, DICE users can now manage dispatches to both public emergency services and private security responders through a single platform. "Our dealers have been asking for a way to offer real guard response without building it themselves," said Glen Carter, president of Clear Response Monitoring and Clear Watch. "Through DICE, our operators go from an alarm or a verified event on camera to a licensed guard on the way, from the same screen they work every signal on." The integration is also being leveraged by Clear Watch's video monitoring service. When DICE AI identifies a potential threat, an operator can verify the event and dispatch a guard through AURA without switching systems or re-entering customer information. Cliff Dice, founder and CEO of DICE Corporation, said the goal was to simplify the addition of guard response services for monitoring centers already using the platform. "We built AURA directly into the DICE platform so a center can turn on guard response site by site, using the data it already holds," Dice said. "Clear Response and Clear Watch show it working on both alarm and AI video monitoring, and the integration is ready for any monitoring center on DICE." For dealers, the service provides an opportunity to add recurring monthly revenue without operating vehicles, hiring guards or managing response operations. Once enrolled, dispatches are handled by the monitoring center and AURA, while dealers remain the primary customer contact. The AURA integration is available immediately to monitoring centers using DICE dispatching products. Dealers can access the service through Clear Response Monitoring or Clear Watch, with AURA confirming coverage on a site-by-site basis before activation.

SS&Si Dealer Network to distribute Telecom Design jamming alarm in North America

DELTONA, Fla., and BORDEAUX, France—SS&Si Dealer Network has entered into a distribution agreement with France-based Telecom Design to bring the company's AJV4 Jamming Alarm to alarm dealers and integrators across North America. The battery-powered AJV4 is designed to detect and counter signal-jamming attacks, a tactic increasingly used by criminals to disrupt wireless communications and disable security systems. Telecom Design describes the device as the first AI-powered anti-hacking alarm capable of independently detecting signal jamming and contacting a monitoring center without relying on an existing alarm panel. According to the announcement, the need for such technology is growing. The companies cited a June 2025 U.S. Department of Homeland Security report that found Customs and Border Protection had experienced an approximately 830% increase in signal-jammer seizures since 2021. "Security systems face a growing threat from signal jammers that bypass standard wireless communications," said Telecom Design CEO Christophe Arnaud. "Partnering with SS&Si Dealer Network allows us to bring our patented AI jamming detection technology to security dealers across North America, providing their customers with an unprecedented layer of protection." The AJV4 uses machine-learning algorithms trained on more than a decade of field data to analyze radio-frequency activity across cellular, 915MHz alarm-band, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks. The device is designed to distinguish between targeted-frequency and wideband-noise jamming attacks and automatically select communication bypass strategies that can alert monitoring centers within 30 seconds. The unit operates independently of an existing alarm panel and utilizes multi-network communications designed to maintain connectivity during an attack. It can also integrate with monitoring centers through cloud-based APIs or standard interfaces without requiring modifications to an existing security system. In addition, the AJV4 requires no data or power cabling and can be installed as a standalone device in minutes. Other features include an LCD display showing system status, environmental sensors that monitor temperature, humidity and air quality, and a manual SOS emergency button. "For years, our industry has focused on adding redundant communication paths to alarm systems. But if an attacker can disrupt those paths simultaneously, redundancy alone isn't enough," said SS&Si Dealer Network CEO Jake Voll. "AJV4 gives dealers an independent way to identify that attack and get the signal outside the premises. Its universal compatibility and simple standalone setup make it easy for dealers to add another layer of protection for residential and commercial customers." The companies said the distribution partnership will expand availability of the technology to security dealers and integrators serving both residential and commercial customers throughout North America.

HID joins FIDO Alliance board as passkey adoption accelerates

AUSTIN, Texas—HID has been appointed to the FIDO Alliance Board of Directors, positioning the identity and authentication provider to help shape the future of passwordless authentication as enterprise passkey adoption gains momentum. Sean Dyon, vice president of HID’s Authentication Business Unit, will serve as the company’s primary board delegate. HID said its role on the board will draw on its experience across both physical and digital identity, with a focus on interoperability, lifecycle management and large-scale deployment of passwordless technologies. “HID has been a longtime and valuable contributor to the FIDO Alliance, and we're pleased to welcome them and Sean Dyon to our Board,” said Andrew Shikiar, executive director and CEO of the FIDO Alliance. “As enterprises scale passkey deployments, HID's perspective on converged physical and digital identity will help us bring the security and usability benefits of passkeys to a wider range of environments.” The FIDO Alliance develops and promotes open authentication standards, including the technology behind passkeys, which are designed to replace passwords with phishing-resistant authentication methods tied to specific devices and services. HID has been a member of the alliance since 2015 and has participated in working groups focused on FIDO2, digital credentials and consumer deployments. The company also develops FIDO-certified authenticators and authentication platforms for enterprise and government users. “As enterprises scale passkeys and passwordless authentication, the standards behind them must address the real-world challenges of deployment, lifecycle management and interoperability,” Dyon said. “Because our business spans both physical and digital identity, we understand these challenges across the full range of how people authenticate.” The appointment comes as passkey adoption continues to expand. According to research conducted by HID and the FIDO Alliance, 93% of organizations are now at some stage of passkey adoption, while 65% report high or expert familiarity with the technology. HID said it plans to use its board position to represent enterprise priorities around converged identity, multi-vendor interoperability and passwordless authentication as deployments move beyond pilot programs and into broader enterprise use.

Akeyless earns FedRAMP High certification for federal identity security

NEW YORK and TEL AVIV, Israel—Akeyless has achieved FedRAMP Class D (High) Certification through its partnership with Second Front Systems, enabling U.S. federal agencies to deploy the company's identity security platform to protect credentials, machine identities and AI-driven workloads in sensitive government environments. The certification makes the Akeyless Identity Security Platform available through Second Front's Game Warden offering and provides a validated path for federal agencies to adopt the company's identity security capabilities for humans, machines and AI agents. According to Akeyless, the platform currently protects more than 1 billion identity interactions daily across enterprise environments and is designed to help organizations manage secrets, machine identities, privileged access and encryption keys from a single platform. "Federal agencies more than doubled their use of AI year over year, and are continuing to expand their AI capabilities," said Oded Hareven, CEO and co-founder of Akeyless. "As AI moves deeper into government systems, identity security can no longer stop at authentication. Agencies need to control both access and what autonomous systems are allowed to do after access is granted." FedRAMP Class D (High) represents the highest certification level for cloud services handling sensitive but unclassified government data. Akeyless said the certification also positions the company to pursue GovRAMP certification, allowing it to extend its reach into state, local, tribal and education markets through GovRAMP's Fast Track program. Second Front Systems' Game Warden platform played a key role in the certification process by providing inherited security controls and continuous monitoring capabilities designed to accelerate deployment of commercial software into government environments. "With FedRAMP Class D Certification through 2F Game Warden, Akeyless can bring specialized identity security to the agencies that need it, fast and securely," said Nick Woodruff, general manager, North America, at Second Front Systems.

WFW adopts mobile-only access at new London headquarters with SwiftConnect

LONDON—International law firm Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has deployed mobile credentials for employee access at its new London headquarters, partnering with SwiftConnect to enable badge-free entry throughout the facility. As part of its move to 25 Moorgate, WFW provisioned more than 450 lawyers and staff members with mobile credentials ahead of occupancy, allowing employees to use Apple and Android devices to access building turnstiles, office spaces, lockers and printers. “Using mobile access at 25 Moorgate from day one is another example of how Watson Farley & Williams is investing in forward-thinking technology across the firm,” said Steven Bridger, global head of IT projects and change at WFW. “Working with SwiftConnect meant we could give our people an easy and secure way to access the building using their Apple and Android devices versus fumbling for a plastic badge.” SwiftConnect said its connected access network integrates WFW’s IT and access control systems, HID credentials and readers, creating what the company describes as a “Street-to-Seat” user experience. Phoenix Trescray handled installation and configuration of the access control system at the new office. “Watson Farley & Williams wanted a mobile wallet and Street-to-Seat access experience done properly, and we are glad they turned to SwiftConnect,” said Brandon Arcement, vice chairman of SwiftConnect. “Our connected access network enables an on-demand, self-service access experience that removes friction for employees and frees security administrators from time-consuming, manual processes.” According to the companies, the deployment supports WFW’s effort to create a technology-focused workplace while also advancing sustainability initiatives by reducing reliance on printed plastic access cards through remote issuance and management of digital credentials.

Security 101 promotes Guarino to GM of New England operations

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—Security 101 has promoted Robert “Bobby” Guarino to general manager of its New England business, a move the company said reflects its continued investment in regional leadership as it expands its presence in the market. Guarino assumed the role in August after joining Security 101 in February 2026 to lead sales across the New England region. As general manager, he now has full responsibility for the market, overseeing revenue growth, business development and customer relationships across key verticals including healthcare, education and municipalities. “Bobby has made an immediate impact since joining Security 101, and he brings exactly the kind of leadership our New England customers and team deserve,” said Craig Shulman, chief operating officer. “He leads from the front, holds his team accountable and knows how to grow a business the right way.” Guarino brings more than 15 years of sales and operations leadership experience. Before joining Security 101, he served as chief sales officer at Champion Elevator and held a general manager role at Everon. Earlier in his career, he also held leadership positions with Johnson Controls, Tyco Integrated Security and ADT. According to Security 101, Guarino's background includes leading high-performing teams, driving growth initiatives and managing P&L performance, experience the company believes will support its continued expansion in the New England market.

ASOKIVA launches to help manufacturers navigate global security markets

LONDON—ASOKIVA, a new consultancy aimed at supporting manufacturers with certification, market access and international growth, has launched, bringing together expertise in regulatory compliance, market intelligence and commercial strategy. Founded by security and technology industry veteran Paul Spencer, ASOKIVA is designed to help manufacturers expand into new territories and identify growth opportunities across global markets. Spencer brings more than 25 years of experience working throughout the U.K., Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and the United States. According to the company, ASOKIVA works with manufacturers in the security, access management, connected devices, critical infrastructure and built environment sectors, offering guidance on certification requirements, market entry strategies and commercial development. “Working with manufacturers across different markets, I’ve seen how much can vary from one territory to another, from certification and regulatory requirements through to customer expectations and routes to market,” Spencer said. “This extensive experience is what led me to the creation of ASOKIVA. We want to bring together the technical understanding of certification with the commercial knowledge needed to assess a market and help identify where the growth opportunities are, knowing it will be different for every business.” The company said it aims to engage with manufacturers early in the certification process, helping organizations evaluate market opportunities before investing in new territories while also supporting growth in regions where they already operate. “I’ve spent much of my career working across the security sector and associated international markets, so bringing this experience together felt like a natural next step,” Spencer said. “There is a real opportunity to help them make the most of the markets beyond their existing home territories, and this is where I see ASOKIVA making a real difference. Our ambition is to connect certification and regulatory expertise with the commercial insight needed to assess markets, identify opportunities and support sustainable growth.”

Intercede debuts passkey authentication platform

LUTTERWORTH, UK—Digital identity provider Intercede has introduced MyID Authenticate, a new FIDO passkey authentication platform designed to provide phishing-resistant access to Windows desktops, cloud services and on-premise applications from a single solution. The company plans to showcase it internationally at GovWare 2026 in Singapore, running Oct. 13-15. According to Intercede, the platform addresses a challenge many government agencies and enterprises face when implementing passkeys: extending authentication beyond web applications to Windows desktops, VPNs and legacy systems. “Everyone agrees passkeys are one of the strongest defenses against phishing. The hard part has been getting them onto every desktop and into every modern application. That is exactly what MyID Authenticate does,” said Dan McLoughlin, chief product officer at Intercede. MyID Authenticate functions as both a FIDO authentication server and passkey issuer. The platform supports FIDO2 security keys as well as device-bound and synced passkeys, with self-service enrollment capabilities. The solution enables passkey-based Windows logon for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices, including offline authentication. Through support for SAML 2.0 and OpenID Connect, organizations can extend passkey authentication to cloud applications, on-premise systems and VPNs. The platform also federates with Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 environments. For organizations that continue to rely on legacy applications, Intercede said the solution also supports RADIUS and multiple strong authentication and multi-factor authentication methods. The company emphasized deployment flexibility, noting that customers can implement the platform on-premise, in the cloud or in hybrid environments while maintaining control of authentication data. Intercede also highlighted the platform’s crypto-agile architecture, which supports post-quantum cryptography to help customers adapt to future cryptographic standards and emerging threats. Intercede said existing users of MyID MFA can transition to the new platform using a dedicated migration tool. MyID Authenticate also integrates with MyID CMS, the company's credential management platform, for organizations requiring high-assurance credential issuance and management. At GovWare 2026, Intercede plans to demonstrate passkey authentication at the Windows lock screen, VPN access and offline login environments, as well as self-service enrollment and migration capabilities for existing customers. “Passkeys are easiest to understand when you see them in action,” McLoughlin said. “At GovWare, visitors can see how easy it is to sign in to Windows with a passkey and witness how simple phishing-resistant authentication can be.”

ABLOY launches AI-generated Mr. Henriksson

HELSINKI—ABLOY is marking the lead-up to its 120th anniversary in 2027 with the introduction of Mr. Henriksson, an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated digital recreation inspired by Finnish inventor Emil Henriksson, whose disc detainer lock invention helped lay the foundation for the company. According to ABLOY, the digital character will serve as a guide throughout the anniversary celebration, exploring technologies and innovations shaping the future of security, including digital identities, intelligent access solutions, connected infrastructure and emerging technologies. Henriksson's breakthrough came in 1907 when he recognized that the rotating disc mechanism used in a mechanical cash register could be adapted into a secure locking system. The concept led to the development of the disc detainer lock and ultimately the creation of ABLOY. “Emil Henriksson saw an opportunity to solve a fundamental challenge: how to secure what matters most and earn people's trust,” said Johanna Varis, director and head of marketing and segment development at Abloy Oy. “More than a century later, that challenge remains just as relevant. While technologies evolve, the need for solutions that solve real problems, create lasting value and stand the test of time remain unchanged.” The company said all content featuring Mr. Henriksson will be created, reviewed and approved by a dedicated team, with AI serving as a production tool while people retain responsibility for all published content. Throughout the anniversary year, the digital persona will appear across online channels and industry events, highlighting security innovations and the people behind them. “Mr. Henriksson will serve as a recurring guide throughout the journey, helping to connect ABLOY's pioneering heritage with the ideas and innovations shaping the future of trust,” Varis said.

City of Carmel unifies municipal operations on Genetec platform

MONTRÉAL—The City of Carmel, Ind., has deployed Genetec Security Center across more than 40 municipal sites, creating a unified platform that connects public safety, public works, parks, engineering and IT operations, Genetec announced. The deployment is designed to help city departments coordinate resources, improve emergency response and support Carmel’s broader smart city initiatives by bringing security and operational systems together on a single platform. According to Genetec, Carmel's public safety teams use Security Center to monitor video surveillance, alarms, emergency calls, response vehicles and IoT sensors through an interactive city map. First responders can also access the system via mobile devices, giving them a common operating picture during incidents. The value of that approach was demonstrated when a tornado struck the city. Using the platform, municipal teams were able to map the storm's path, assess damage and identify the hardest-hit areas, enabling emergency responders, utility crews and public works personnel to be deployed more quickly and efficiently. “By bringing all our departments onto one city-wide platform, we've reduced complexity,” said Morgan Rinehart, network architect for the City of Carmel. “The result is better decisions for our community, higher response efficiency, and more cost-effective operations that benefit our residents.” Beyond public safety applications, city departments are leveraging the platform to improve day-to-day operations. Engineering and street teams can monitor road conditions, coordinate snow removal efforts and manage traffic around construction projects. Parks staff can oversee crowd levels and facility usage at recreational sites, while event organizers can monitor pedestrian traffic during community gatherings. The city said the open architecture of the platform provides flexibility to incorporate new technologies as requirements change. The full case study is available at https://www.genetec.com/customer-stories/city-of-carmel.

Interface report highlights hidden costs of false alarms for multi-site businesses

ST. LOUIS—Interface Systems has released a new report arguing that the true financial impact of commercial false alarms extends far beyond municipal fines, with expenses tied to guard response, employee time and potential loss of police response making up the bulk of the burden for multi-location operators. The report, “The Real Cost of Alarm Failure,” is part of the company's 2026 Loss Prevention Research Series and analyzes false alarm costs using municipal ordinances and fee schedules from 25 U.S. cities, police dispatch policies in 23 cities, federal labor data and vendor repair costs. According to the study, a 10-store retailer averaging three false alarms per location would incur about $1,220 annually in municipal fines. However, when guard dispatches, manager response requirements and lost labor hours are factored in, the annual cost rises to roughly $7,230. The report also found that 21 of the 23 cities examined impose restrictions or suspend police response privileges for properties with excessive false alarms. Interface said the financial risk can increase significantly if a business loses police response eligibility and subsequently experiences a break-in. “The real damage happens behind the scenes,” said Sean Foley, chief revenue officer at Interface Systems. “When a property crosses a city's infraction threshold, it triggers an operational domino effect: managers are pulled away from customers, administrative teams spend hours fighting permit suspensions, and ultimately, police units stop showing up.” The report further examines insurance claim disputes involving alarm system or permit lapses and argues that operational costs begin with the first false alarm event, even when municipalities waive fines for initial incidents. Interface said video verification technology can help reduce those costs by enabling trained operators to review alarm events before law enforcement is dispatched. According to the company, its remote intervention specialists clear approximately 95% of alarm events as false alarms through video verification, helping businesses avoid unnecessary dispatches and maintain compliance with local false alarm policies.

OpenEye, CHeKT expand integration to streamline remote video monitoring

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.—OpenEye has expanded its integration with video monitoring platform provider CHeKT, introducing new capabilities designed to improve remote video monitoring operations and simplify deployments for dealers and monitoring centers. The enhanced integration centers on the new CHeKT Virtual Bridge, which establishes a cloud-to-cloud connection between OpenEye Web Services (OWS) and the CHeKT platform. According to the companies, the integration enables automatic account syncing, OWS virtual arming and support for a broader range of site event alerts. OpenEye said the added functionality is intended to make it easier for dealers and monitoring centers to deploy and manage intelligent video monitoring services while improving operational efficiency. The companies said the integration automatically captures, packages and delivers event-based video verification to monitoring agents. When a designated event occurs, agents can access live video, event recordings and on-site audio capabilities through CHeKT’s monitoring platform, enabling faster incident verification and response. “Partnering with CHeKT is an exciting opportunity to deliver a better monitoring solution for our partners and, in turn, greater peace of mind for our customers,” said Rick Sheppard, founder and CEO of OpenEye. “This integration creates a more streamlined video monitoring workflow and provides our partners with the tools needed to deter crime and protect what matters most.” OpenEye said the integration is designed to reduce deployment complexity by eliminating the need for additional on-site hardware in supported environments. The approach allows existing systems to be activated for remote video monitoring services more quickly, helping businesses expand monitoring capabilities without significant operational overhead. Industry demand for proactive monitoring solutions continues to grow as end users seek more than traditional video recording, according to CHeKT CEO Wes Usie. “We are seeing a significant shift in consumer expectations around remote video monitoring,” Usie said. “Customers no longer want video that only tells them what happened; they want it to help stop what’s about to. Together, OpenEye and CHeKT make that kind of protection something a dealer can sell on day one, real-time, proactive and valuable to the customer. It’s another example of OpenEye’s commitment to increasing the value it delivers to its dealers.”

NWS taps Hutchinson as permanent CEO after interim stint

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Network Wireless Solutions (NWS) has appointed Dr. Louis J. Hutchinson III as its permanent CEO. Hutchinson had, after serving as interim CEO since March, a period of leadership marked by continued growth, operational performance and strategic advancement, according to the company.“NWS has built a strong foundation rooted in technical expertise, operational excellence, and customer commitment,” Hutchinson said. “I am excited to continue working alongside our employees, customers, partners, and suppliers as we execute on our growth strategy, expanding our capabilities through global cloud distribution to support the evolving digital infrastructure needs of the markets we serve.” NWS provides integrated digital infrastructure solutions across North America and supports customers in communications and data infrastructure markets. The company said Hutchinson will continue leading its efforts to expand capabilities and support evolving customer requirements as demand for digital infrastructure grows. The appointment formalizes Hutchinson's leadership role after nearly five months as interim CEO and signals continuity in the company's strategic direction and growth plans.

Gallagher, Toronto Zoo deploy first-of-its-kind fence monitoring integration

TORONTO—Gallagher Security and Gallagher Animal Management have launched what the companies describe as a first-of-its-kind integration between Gallagher Command Centre and the Toronto Zoo’s animal enclosure energizer systems, providing real-time monitoring of habitat fencing. The integration is now operational within the zoo’s orangutan habitat, enabling staff to continuously monitor fence voltage and receive instant alerts when the fence is touched. The system is also integrated with CCTV, allowing wildlife care personnel to verify incidents before responding. According to the Toronto Zoo, the new capability enhances animal safety by providing immediate visibility into the status of electric perimeter fencing. The 500-acre zoo, which houses more than 2,000 animals representing 200 species and welcomes approximately 1.3 million visitors annually, has worked with Gallagher Animal Management on perimeter fencing systems for more than 50 years. Nour Muqatash, regional sales manager for central and eastern Canada at Gallagher Security, said the project demonstrates how the company's security and animal management businesses can work together to address specialized customer requirements. "This was a genuinely collaborative effort between our Security and Animal Management divisions," Muqatash said. "The Zoo already trusted Gallagher for their perimeter fencing, and this project let us bring that same relationship into their broader security ecosystem in a way that hadn't been done before." The security platform also includes Gallagher Mobile Connect for field officers, mobile credentials for seasonal staff and contractors, and integrations with intercom systems in high-risk animal habitats. Gallagher said the platform’s role at the zoo will continue to expand as the facility develops its new Community Conservation Center, where Command Centre will manage access for students, faculty and visitors.

NFPA Urban Fire Forum focuses on AI, workforce challenges facing fire service

QUINCY, Mass.—Fire chiefs and fire service leaders from five countries gathered in September for the 2026 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Urban Fire Forum, where discussions centered on artificial intelligence (AI), workforce sustainability, responder wellness and other issues shaping the future of emergency services. Held under the theme, “Leading through Disruption: Preparing Urban Fire Services for an Era of Accelerating Change,” the forum brought together fire service leaders from Australia, Canada, Mexico, Slovenia and the United States. According to NFPA, participants examined topics including AI adoption, drone deployment, disaster response, emergency communications, responder health and wellness, and leadership development. “Urban fire chiefs are making decisions today about technologies, workforce models, and community risks that will shape service delivery for years to come,” said Otto Drozd III, executive secretary of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association and forum facilitator. “The Urban Fire Forum brings chiefs and researchers together to examine opportunities and share their experiences while keeping the health and safety of responders and the communities they serve at the center of the discussion.” A key outcome of the event was the adoption of five joint Urban Fire Forum-Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association position statements addressing firefighter wellness and fitness, PFAS research, drone implementation, fire chief health and leadership, and long-term national fire service strategy. Several presentations focused on the opportunities and challenges surrounding artificial intelligence. “Chiefs are making decisions about AI, drones, work schedules, and responder health while managing the daily demands of their departments,” Drozd said. “The Urban Fire Forum continues to distinguish itself by bringing together chief officers, researchers, and industry experts to examine emerging challenges through evidence-based discussion.” The forum is hosted annually by NFPA and brings together leaders from major metropolitan fire departments to discuss emerging risks, operational challenges and public safety priorities.

Yale, Yardi partner on multifamily digital access solution

SAN FRANCISCO—Yale Home, part of Fortune Brands Innovations, has integrated its smart access technology with Yardi's RentCafe Resident App, allowing multifamily residents to unlock apartments and community spaces using the same mobile app they use to pay rent, submit maintenance requests and manage other resident services. The integration enables automated digital key delivery and recovery through synchronization with Yardi Voyager and CRM IQ data. Residents can access their units using a digital key stored within the RentCafe app, eliminating the need for traditional keys, fobs or visits to the leasing office. According to the companies, the solution addresses a significant operational challenge for multifamily operators, where annual resident turnover averages about 50% across property portfolios. Digital access can help reduce issues associated with lost keys, rekeying costs and manual access management. “As multifamily operators continue investing in connected technologies, they're looking for solutions that simplify operations while making the resident experience easier,” said John McGuire, senior vice president at Fortune Brands Innovations. “By connecting Yale smart access solutions with Yardi workflows, we're making it easier for more communities to bring these benefits to residents and staff.” Key features of the integration include automated access permissions tied to lease start and end dates, temporary digital credentials for vendors and maintenance personnel, and support for common areas, amenity spaces and package rooms. For property managers, the companies said the platform can help streamline unit turnover, reduce rekeying-related expenses and minimize manual coordination of resident and vendor access. Because the system does not require a hub or Wi-Fi connection, it is designed to simplify installation and lower deployment costs. “Building a seamless renter experience means removing friction from every interaction, including how residents access their homes,” said Matt Seasholls, industry principal at Yardi. “By bringing digital access into the RentCafe Resident App and connecting it with leasing, maintenance and resident workflows, we're giving renters one simple experience while helping operators manage access without adding another disconnected system.”

Acoem updates acoustic threat detection software to reduce false positives

GRANTS PASS, Ore.—Acoem has introduced two software updates for its Acoustic Threat Detection (ATD) Gunshot Detection System, adding individual sensor-level elevation tuning and enhanced acoustic analytics designed to improve detection accuracy in site-specific environments. The updates, delivered through Acoem's Cadence software platform, are intended to help organizations address false positives, particularly in locations where hills, buildings, fireworks and other environmental factors can produce sounds that resemble gunfire. The new individual sensor management capability allows administrators to configure elevation and horizon thresholds for each sensor based on local conditions rather than applying the same settings across an entire deployment. According to Acoem, the feature helps the system more accurately classify fireworks and other skyline noise as non-threat events. In addition, the company updated its AI-driven acoustic signal and noise analytics to better identify anomalies and distinguish potential gunfire from background sounds. The enhancements build on Acoem's existing threat-detection capabilities, which include shockwave-enhanced muzzle-blast detection, onboard AI analysis of 96 acoustic attributes, edge-based threat verification and PTZ camera integration. “The volume of security system alarms are one of the biggest drains on security resources today. This update highlights how we leverage our deep data science expertise to continuously evolve our technology alongside our customers,” said Mike O'Dea, managing director of Acoem ATD. “By giving teams the ability to adapt detection to their specific environments, we're delivering the most flexible, accurate acoustic threat protection available to keep communities and critical infrastructure safe.” The software updates will be available to existing customers in the fourth quarter of 2026 and can be deployed over the network through the Cadence platform without requiring additional backend server infrastructure, according to the company.

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In brief: Allegion adds Overly, Absolute boosts AI, DICE integrates AURA

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