In brief: dormakaba acquisition, ‘Ban the Scan’ rally, SIA cyberattacks initiative

Apollo Security, also based in Newport Beach, develops and manufactures access control and integrated security systems. Together, the two companies employ about 30 people and serve access control customers worldwide.  

Heather Torrey, executive vice president of dormakaba Americas, said the acquisition aligns with the company's growth strategy in the region while expanding its ability to serve OEMs and other access control partners.  

 "This move reflects our continued commitment to strategic growth in the Americas and expands how we can support Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other access control customers and partners in the market," Torrey said. "What makes this especially meaningful is how naturally the legacy of this business connects to our story. It is rooted in trusted relationships, practical innovation, and a commitment to helping create more connected, flexible and resilient access control systems."  

dormakaba said the acquisition supports its strategy of expanding its open components portfolio for OEM partners. In addition to engineered access control solutions, the company plans to strengthen its offering of locks, readers and controllers.  

"Our acquisition of the assets of Azure Access and Apollo Security will accelerate the development of next-generation access control solutions and advance our components strategy in the U.S.," dormakaba CEO Till Reuter said. "Going forward, we will strengthen our open component portfolio, including locks, readers and controllers, to OEM partners, a customer segment we are now well positioned to support."  

Evan Zinger, executive vice president of Azure Access and Apollo Security, said joining dormakaba will help expand adoption of the companies' technology and accelerate product development.  

"We are thrilled to join dormakaba and to take our platform to the next level," Zinger said. "This acquisition eliminates the remaining scale and adoption barriers, positioning us to establish enterprise adoption and global reach."  

The transaction closed Aug. 14. Financial terms were not disclosed.  

• Related: dormakaba acquires airport software provider Airsphere 

Privacy advocates, lawmakers rally outside MSG in support of ‘Ban the Scan’ bill 

NEW YORK—Privacy advocates, lawmakers, musicians and community organizers gathered outside Madison Square Garden (MSG) on Aug. 14 to call for a ban on facial recognition surveillance in places of public accommodation and urge the New York City Council to pass Intro. 213, also known as the “Ban the Scan” bill. The legislation, introduced by Council Member Shahana Hanif, would prohibit certain businesses and venues from using biometric data to identify individuals in public and would restrict the sale of biometric information. “Madison Square Garden has shown us exactly what happens when corporations are allowed to deploy facial recognition without meaningful limits: they use it to track, profile, and blacklist people they don’t like,” Hanif said. “Your face should not be a tool that a corporation can use to punish you for exercising your rights.” Advocates said the issue has taken on greater urgency as facial recognition and other biometric technologies become more common in businesses and entertainment venues across New York City. They also pointed to concerns about data security following reports that a cyberattack exposed visitor information connected to MSG’s surveillance systems. Supporters of the bill argue that large-scale collection of biometric information creates risks related to privacy, potential misuse of data and unauthorized access by third parties, including law enforcement agencies. Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine said Intro. 213 would help protect consumers from mass surveillance. “This kind of mass surveillance opens the door to abuse and discrimination, making consumers in our city uniquely vulnerable,” Levine said. “It’s time to ban the scan and protect New Yorkers’ privacy and civil rights.” The effort has also drawn support from elected officials including Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal and New York City Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Sandy Nurse, who said New Yorkers should not have to give up biometric data to attend sporting events, concerts or other public gatherings. Evan Greer, director of digital rights organization Fight for the Future, said entertainment venues can operate safely without facial recognition technology. “No one wants this. Artists and fans have resoundingly rejected facial recognition at venues, and now we need lawmakers to make it official by banning facial recognition surveillance in places of public accommodation,” Greer said. Opponents of facial recognition cite studies and advocacy reports that raise concerns about bias, false identifications and disproportionate impacts on communities of color. Nina Loshkajian, a fellow with the Center on Race, Inequality & the Law, said the technology’s documented error rates for some demographic groups remain a significant concern. Meanwhile, Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Michelle Dahl said Madison Square Garden is only one example of a broader trend. “From Citi Field to Wegmans, facial recognition has spread rapidly across our city, threatening the privacy and dignity of New Yorkers going about our daily lives,” Dahl said. “It’s long past time the City Council pass Intro. 0213 to ban the scan in public accommodations.” Madison Square Garden defended its use of the technology. "People have been recognizing each other's faces since the beginning of time. We just do it electronically," an MSG spokesperson said in a statement. The proposed legislation remains under consideration by the City Council. 

• Related: Facial recognition is a violation of privacy, News Poll results show 

PSG, Magos integrate perimeter radar detection with Zero Trust platform 

AUSTIN, Texas—Prometheus Security Group Global (PSG) announced an integration with Magos Systems that combines radar-based perimeter detection with PSG's Zero Trust physical security platform, aimed at delivering authenticated sensor data for critical infrastructure and other high-security environments. The integration connects Magos' SR-Series radar systems and Magos Area Surveillance Software (MASS) with PSG's Security Command Center (SCC), enabling real-time perimeter detection data to be ingested, authenticated and managed through a unified platform. According to the companies, the integration applies Zero Trust Architecture principles to perimeter detection by cryptographically authenticating radar events at the point of detection. The goal is to provide security operators, automation systems and AI-driven analytics tools with verified data, reducing cyber vulnerabilities and improving decision-making. "Perimeter detection systems are a critical first line of defense but historically lacked the identity and data integrity required for modern security operations," PSG said in announcing the integration. "By integrating Magos' advanced radar technology with PSG's platform, we're cryptographically authenticating and verifying every radar event at its source." Magos' radar technology is used in applications including critical infrastructure, energy, transportation and government facilities. The companies said the integration is designed to improve threat detection accuracy, reduce false alarms and provide trusted data for security operations. Nicole Palumbo, chief operating officer of Magos Americas, said the partnership brings authenticated perimeter intelligence into command-and-control environments. "By combining Magos' radar precision and AI-driven detection with PSG's Zero Trust framework, we are providing our customers with a higher level of situational awareness and confidence," Palumbo said. "This partnership ensures every detection is not just captured, but verified and actionable." PSG said its Zero Trust platform was originally developed to meet government and critical infrastructure security requirements and can be deployed alongside existing security infrastructure, allowing organizations to extend authenticated data from sensors to enterprise systems without replacing current investments. The companies said the collaboration reflects a shared effort to advance physical security systems that authenticate and verify devices, sensors and data streams at the source, enabling security teams to detect, track, respond to and investigate threats through a single workflow. 

• Related: Prometheus awarded patent for method to secure legacy analog sensor systems 

System Surveyor previews agenda for inaugural THRIVE 2026 conference 

AUSTIN, Texas—System Surveyor has released the agenda and speaker lineup for its inaugural THRIVE 2026 conference, scheduled for Sept. 28-30 in Austin, Texas. The event will bring together security integrators, end users and technology partners for education sessions, networking opportunities and discussions focused on improving efficiency across the physical security project lifecycle. "THRIVE was created to give our growing community and industry an opportunity to explore emerging technologies and have meaningful conversations about where our industry is headed," said Chris Hugman, co-founder and CEO of System Surveyor. "These peer-led sessions set the tone for the conference by combining strategic industry insights with practical takeaways attendees can immediately apply within their organizations." According to the company, the conference will also feature product announcements from System Surveyor's team, along with discussions on future roadmap initiatives and workflow integration opportunities. Customers including Aaron Simpson of Stone Security and Christian Skuce of ASAP Security are expected to share their experiences using the platform. A keynote session, "Building Security's Future Together to Thrive," will feature Security Industry Association (SIA) CEO Don Erickson, M.C. Dean Senior Vice President and SIA Board Member Julaine Simmons, and Hugman. The panel will examine findings from the SIA 2026 Security Megatrends Report and discuss key trends affecting manufacturers, integrators and end users. Another featured session, "Customer Fireside Chat w/ Aaron Simpson, Stone Security," will focus on how the integrator has streamlined site surveys, proposal creation, project delivery and customer engagement processes. THRIVE attendees will also hear from Ken Kocher, executive director of government solutions at Digital Monitoring Products (DMP), and Tradd Kendrick, business development manager at System Surveyor, during a presentation titled "Stop Selling. Start Solving: 3 Practical Ways to Set Yourself Apart." The session will include a demonstration of System Surveyor's new AI Notetaker tool and explore consultative sales approaches and technology-enabled workflows. System Surveyor said standard registration pricing for THRIVE 2026 remains available through Aug. 31. Registration includes conference sessions, networking events and meals. More information and registration details are available at www.systemsurveyor.com/thrive-2026, where attendees can also view the full conference agenda. 

• Related: System Surveyor launches mobile app to connect sales, installation teams 

Gunnebo Entrance Control acquires Safe Products SARL  

EAST SUSSEX, U.K.—Gunnebo Entrance Control has acquired Safe Products SARL, a Paris-based installer and service provider of entrance control systems, as the company looks to strengthen its service capabilities in France. Founded in 2017, Safe Products specializes in the installation, maintenance and servicing of entrance control systems for customers in critical infrastructure, government and commercial sectors. The company has also developed a growing portfolio of recurring service contracts. "Since establishing Safe Products SARL, our priority has always been to provide customers with reliable service, technical expertise and trusted support throughout the life of their systems," said Yoann Carl, founder and manager of Safe Products. "Joining Gunnebo Entrance Control allows us to build on this foundation." The deal follows Gunnebo Entrance Control's acquisition of French entrance control company Diadem and reflects the company's strategy of expanding service-led growth and lifecycle support offerings. "The addition of Safe Products SARL strengthens our ability to support customers locally in a market where service quality, responsiveness and long-term partnership are increasingly important," said Blanca Sebastia, executive vice president of commercial excellence and general manager for Europe at Gunnebo Entrance Control. "Their expertise and customer-focused approach make them a strong complement to our existing operations in France." By combining Safe Products' local market knowledge with the resources of Diadem and Gunnebo Entrance Control, the company said it will be better positioned to provide installation, maintenance and support services across France. "France is a strategically important market for Gunnebo Entrance Control, particularly the Paris region, which continues to see strong demand for entrance control solutions and services," President Howard Lang said. "This acquisition strengthens our local presence and service capability, enabling us to support customers more effectively while continuing to invest in long-term growth." 

Related: Gunnebo to sell Entrance Control business to ASSA ABLOY 

SIA announces 2026 winners for Denis R. Hébert Identity Management Scholarship 

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Joseph Robles of SAGE Integration and Kevin Vettorel of BOS Security as the recipients of its 2026 Denis R. Hébert Identity Management Scholarship. The program awards two $5,000 scholarships annually to young professional and student SIA members pursuing education and professional development in identity management, which includes access control, user authentication, privacy protection and related security disciplines. Robles, a service coordinator at SAGE Integration based in San Francisco, plans to use the scholarship to further his studies in data analysis, identity management, cybersecurity and operations improvement. He is currently completing a project management certificate with a Lean Six Sigma focus through UCLA Extension. “I am honored to receive the 2026 Denis R. Hébert Scholarship,” Robles said. “My goal is to improve how teams measure performance, manage technician capacity, track credentials and strengthen access control operations.” Vettorel serves as chief technology officer at BOS Security and brings a background spanning military service, enterprise IT and artificial intelligence. A 20-year Air Force veteran, he said the scholarship will help fund an advanced data analytics certification and support future doctoral studies. “I believe this will allow me to use data to further enhance the efficiency and protection of our VirtuGuard client base,” Vettorel said. The scholarship is named for Denis R. Hébert, a longtime security industry executive and former SIA board chair, and was established in 2018 to support professionals specializing in identity management. “My sincere congratulations to this year's recipients of the Denis R. Hébert Identity Management Scholarship Awards, Joseph Robles and Kevin Vettorel,” Hébert said. “As identity becomes a central element in our daily lives, their focus is a key part of our industry's future.” The winners were recognized during SIA’s 2026 AcceleRISE conference, held Aug. 3-5 in San Diego. 

• Related: SIA opens applications for three 2026 scholarship programs 
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Wesco promotes Lindblad to vice president of global channel sales 

PITTSBURGH—Wesco announced the promotion of Greg Lindblad to vice president of global channel sales for converging technologies within the company's Communications & Security organization. Lindblad previously served as senior director of global sales and strategy for security solutions. In his new role, he will work with the company's largest global integrators to support adoption of Wesco's converging technologies portfolio, which includes security, professional audiovisual, networking, infrastructure, software and services. According to Wesco, Lindblad brings more than 20 years of experience across technology manufacturing and distribution. "Building on his success leading our global security integrator strategy, Lindblad will now lead our worldwide channel strategy, helping our largest global integrators leverage the full breadth of Wesco's converging technologies portfolio," said Tara Dunning, vice president of converging technology, global strategy and sales. Wesco said the move aligns with its converging technologies strategy, which it introduced last year to better integrate its portfolio, expertise and resources around the needs of integrators and end users. 

"As security, pro AV, networking, infrastructure, software and services become increasingly connected, customers expect integrated solutions that deliver business outcomes, not individual products," Dunning said. The company said Lindblad will focus on helping global integrators deliver connected solutions across multiple technology disciplines while expanding engagement with enterprise customers. 

• Related: Wesco ‘enables the channel’ with intelligent services  

SIA responds to cyberattacks on U.S. water facilities, plans utility security initiatives 

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) issued a statement Aug. 12 in response to recent cyberattacks targeting water and wastewater utilities across multiple U.S. states, outlining plans to expand resources and guidance aimed at helping utilities address converging physical and cybersecurity threats. According to SIA, cyberattacks in late July affected water and wastewater facilities in at least a dozen states, highlighting the increasingly interconnected nature of operational technology, cybersecurity and physical security. "The threats to water facilities are not new, yet they require a renewed and broad commitment by our industry to work with this essential sector to enhance preparedness strategies," said Don Erickson, CEO of SIA. "SIA is developing plans to expand our OT-physical security resources into practical advice for water utilities." SIA said its Utilities Advisory Board and Cybersecurity Advisory Board are working to develop new content and recommended practices intended to help utilities improve security and resilience through the use of physical security and cybersecurity technologies. Among the initiatives announced by the association is the Protecting Utilities Lunch at ISC East 2026, where attendees will discuss emerging threats facing water utilities, challenges associated with securing connected IT and operational technology environments, and strategies for coordinating physical security and technology teams during incidents. SIA said additional ISC East programming will focus on topics including zero trust, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and converged threats. The association also plans to launch a survey examining the current state of utility security programs and physical security infrastructure. Findings from the survey and industry discussions will be compiled into a white paper intended to provide guidance for utility security professionals. "SIA believes infrastructure resilience must encompass both cybersecurity and physical security, as well as the people, processes and technologies that keep essential services operating," the association said. SIA is encouraging utility security practitioners, systems integrators and security technology providers to participate in the initiative through interviews, feedback and industry events. 

• Related: SIA names Jasvir Gill vice chair of Utilities Advisory Board 

Securitas Technology marks 9/11 anniversary with Flight 93, Tunnel to Towers support 

UNIONTOWN, Ohio—Securitas Technology is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks through support of two organizations dedicated to preserving the legacy of the day and assisting those affected by it. The electronic security provider announced that it is supporting the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as part of its efforts to honor the lives lost, first responders and others impacted by the attacks. "As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we remember the lives lost, honor the heroes who responded, and recognize the resilience that emerged from tragedy," said Tony Byerly, global president and CEO of Securitas Technology. "The lessons of that day continue to reinforce our purpose and the importance of creating a safer and more secure world. Through our support of Friends of Flight 93 and the Tunnel to Towers, we are helping preserve these stories, support those who serve others, and ensure future generations never forget." As part of the initiative, Securitas Technology is sponsoring the 2026 National Day of Learning through Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial. The program is designed to educate future generations about the events of Sept. 11 and the actions of the passengers and crew aboard Flight 93. "For 25 years, the story of Flight 93 has stood as a powerful example of courage, sacrifice and unity," said Donna Gibson, executive director of Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial. "Support from organizations like Securitas Technology helps us continue sharing these lessons with future generations." Securitas also named the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as its official charity partner for GSX 2026, supporting the organization's mission of serving military members, first responders and their families. The company said the impact of 9/11 continues to influence the security profession, reshaping approaches to safety, preparedness and risk management while driving innovation across the electronic security industry. "As we honor the 25th anniversary of September 11, we remain committed to supporting the families of military service members and first responders while ensuring America never forgets," said Frank Siller, chairman, CEO and president of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. "We are grateful for Securitas Technology's partnership and support." 

• Related: Securitas posts margin gains in Q1 but flags North America growth softness 

March Networks launches midyear release following VIVOTEK merger 

OTTAWA, Ontario—March Networks has announced a midyear product release that expands artificial intelligence (AI)-powered search, cloud video intelligence and security system integrations, marking the company's first major product launch since its merger with VIVOTEK's branded business in April. The release introduces what the company calls "Connected Intelligence for Modern Security," a strategy designed to connect video surveillance, operational data and AI across security and business systems. 

 "Customers do not need more disconnected systems or more data. They need the intelligence that comes when video, data and AI work together," said Peter Strom, president and CEO of the combined March Networks and VIVOTEK organization. "This release advances the March Networks solutions our customers use today, and creates more ways to connect cameras, access control, business systems and VIVOTEK technologies." March Networks said the initiative is built around three principles: connecting security and business ecosystems, using AI to generate operational insights from data and video, and extending intelligence across on-premises, hybrid and cloud deployments. Among the new capabilities included in the release are AI-powered Searchlight AI tools for cloud users, expanded facial recognition and license plate search capabilities, and a new integration between C•CURE access control systems and March Networks Command Enterprise Software. According to the company, the updates are designed to help organizations investigate incidents faster, identify trends and improve visibility across security and operational environments. "We have seen firsthand what's possible when customers connect video, AI, transactions and operational data," Strom said. "For example, these connections helped a large retail organization uncover nearly $1 million in organized retail fraud that traditional reporting and manual video review had missed." March Networks said the release reflects its broader effort to unify video, data and AI across enterprise security environments following the VIVOTEK merger. The company plans to showcase the new capabilities at GSX 2026, scheduled for Sept. 14-16 in Atlanta. 

• Related: March Networks sharpens cloud strategy with Vivotek 

PDK, Aiphone launch cloud-based access control, intercom integration 

DRAPER, Utah—ProdataKey (PDK) and Aiphone have launched a new cloud-based integration designed to unify access control and video intercom management for commercial and multi-tenant properties. The integration connects AiphoneCloud, Aiphone's cloud-managed platform, with PDK.io, ProdataKey's mobile-first access control management software. The companies said the integration provides security administrators and property managers with a streamlined way to manage both systems while reducing duplicate administrative tasks. According to the companies, the integration synchronizes tenant, user and unit information across both platforms, reducing manual data entry and helping maintain accurate records. The integration is intended to simplify onboarding, speed access provisioning and provide greater visibility into building access activity and visitor communications. Dallan Labrum, executive vice president of sales at ProdataKey, said the combined offering is designed to help customers improve operational efficiency while enhancing the experience for building occupants and visitors. "The future of physical security is built on connected, intuitive technologies," Labrum said. "Our integration with Aiphone gives dealers, integrators, and end users a smarter way to manage access control and video intercoms from a unified ecosystem." The integration is available now through the PDK.io platform. 

• Related: ProdataKey adds geofencing to mobile access platform 

Allied Universal named to TIME's list of best private companies 

IRVINE, Calif.—Allied Universal has been named to TIME magazine’s inaugural list of America’s Best Private Companies 2026, the security and facility services provider announced. The company ranked No. 72 among 500 privately held companies recognized nationwide. TIME’s ranking evaluates companies based on employee satisfaction and overall company impact. “Being recognized by TIME is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the extraordinary people who make Allied Universal what it is today,” said Steve Jones, global chairman and CEO of Allied Universal. “Our team members show up every day with professionalism, integrity and a clear sense of purpose. Their commitment to our clients, our communities and our shared mission continues to drive our success and distinguish Allied Universal as the industry leader.” According to TIME, employee satisfaction scores were based on survey data from approximately 217,000 U.S. employees collected over the past three years. The evaluation included recommendations from current and former employees and assessments of factors such as workplace atmosphere, compensation, equality and company reputation. TIME also examined company impact, including contributions to community safety, job creation, workforce development, client and public safety, and responsible business practices.  

• Related: Allied Universal names Melissa Butler VP of communications 

Altronix names Monica Mejia director of new business development for Latin America 

BROOKLYN, N.Y.—Altronix has appointed Monica Mejia as director of new business development for Latin America, the company announced. In her new position, Mejia will be responsible for developing business opportunities throughout the region while supporting distributors, systems integrators and end users deploying Altronix technologies. Based in Mexico City, she will work alongside independent representative firm LAR. According to Altronix, Mejia brings more than 18 years of experience in the security and datacom markets, along with extensive knowledge of the company's power and data transmission solutions. "Monica is the perfect addition to our team with her energy, passion and magnetic personality to build and strengthen relationships with new and existing customers in the LATAM region," said Alan Forman, president of Altronix. 

The company said Mejia's industry relationships and familiarity with Altronix products and applications will help support continued growth in the region. "I am proud to join Altronix to lead business development across Latin America, and I want to thank Alan Forman and Ronnie Pennington for their confidence in me," Mejia said. "My focus is on supporting our network of distributors and systems integrators with reliable power, transmission and intelligent infrastructure solutions for their projects. Together, we are going to build great things across the region." 

• Related: Altronix partners with Hanwha Vision on new access control offering 

TMA launches foundational training program for video monitoring professionals 

Flock tightens privacy, accountability safeguards for ALPR platform 

AUSTIN, Texas—Flock Safety announced a series of updates to its automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) platform, including a shorter recommended data retention period, expanded audit requirements and new security measures aimed at strengthening privacy, accountability and transparency. In an Aug. 13 blog post, CEO Garrett Langley said the company is changing its recommended and default ALPR data retention period from 30 days to seven days and will introduce a new feature called “Evidence Mode” that allows detectives to preserve specific data tied to active investigations. According to Flock, more than 90% of searches that do not include a full license plate number occur within a week. Existing customers will retain their current data retention policies, while agencies that adopt the seven-day recommendation will receive Evidence Mode at no additional cost. The company also announced new offense-based data-sharing controls that allow agencies to limit the types of investigations for which outside law enforcement agencies can access camera data.  

As an example, Flock said a city could allow searches related to stolen vehicles, missing persons or violent crimes while restricting access for immigration enforcement-related searches. On the accountability front, Flock will require all law enforcement customers to adopt its Audit Assistance feature by the end of the year. The tool is designed to detect abnormal system activity and flag it for administrator review. The company also plans to implement automatic account lockouts when user behavior meets predefined criteria for potential misuse. In addition, Flock said it will require case codes for all law enforcement searches by year-end, though agencies will be able to bypass the requirement during emergencies. Those searches will be flagged for administrative review. Langley said the changes build on safeguards the company has developed over the past nine years and follow recent incidents in which law enforcement officers allegedly misused the technology. Flock also outlined several cybersecurity initiatives, including mandatory multi-factor authentication for all users, a forthcoming independent security assessment summary from cybersecurity firm Bishop Fox, and the launch of a Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure program for security researchers. The company reiterated that customers retain ownership and control of data collected through Flock cameras and said it plans to publish a plain-language explanation of its contract terms to clarify those rights. “These changes reflect years of work and deliberation,” Langley wrote. “They are not the end of that work, but simply the continuation of our commitment to both safety and privacy.” 

• Related: Flock Safety introduces Audit Assistance tool for accountable public safety technology 

Former NSA counsel Gerstell tapped to lead ABA national security committee 

WASHINGTON—Glenn S. Gerstell, former general counsel of the National Security Agency (NSA), has been named chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Law and National Security, ABA President Barbara J. Howard announced. Gerstell will serve a three-year term leading the nonpartisan committee, which was founded in 1962 by then-ABA President and future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr. He succeeds Stephen W. Preston, a senior partner at WilmerHale and former general counsel for both the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency. The ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security conducts studies, sponsors programs and organizes working groups focused on legal issues tied to national security. The committee also develops recommendations on national security policy matters for the ABA. Gerstell has previously served on the committee's Advisory Committee and assumes the leadership role as policymakers and legal professionals continue to grapple with issues surrounding cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, intelligence operations and other emerging national security challenges. "Rapid, if not overwhelming, technologic changes, in the context of more dangerous world, have created new and complex legal issues in the national security sector," Gerstell said. "I'm honored to follow Stephen Preston in guiding the Standing Committee to help illuminate these issues for the public and policymakers." According to the ABA, the committee is composed of leading practitioners and scholars in national security law and advises the association on some of the country's most consequential legal and policy issues. The committee also sponsors the Annual Review of the Field of National Security Law conference in Washington, D.C., now in its 36th year. In a concurrent appointment, Margaret Hu, the Davison Douglas Professor of Law and director of the Digital Democracy Lab at William & Mary Law School, was named chair of the committee's Advisory Committee. Hu succeeds Lala R. Qadir, senior director of Technology Security and AI Policy at Microsoft, in the role. Her scholarship focuses on the intersection of civil rights, national security, cyber surveillance and artificial intelligence. 

ADI launches inaugural Control4 NEXT conference for certified technicians 

MELVILLE, N.Y.—ADI has launched Control4 NEXT, a new three-day education and training conference for Control4 certified technicians, marking the company's latest investment in the Control4 dealer ecosystem. Scheduled for Oct. 20-22 in San Antonio, Texas, the inaugural event will bring together advanced technical education, hands-on product training and direct collaboration with Control4 engineering and product teams. ADI said the conference is intended to become an annual gathering for the Control4 professional community. According to the company, attendees will have access to advanced training sessions, previews of upcoming innovations across the Control4 platform and opportunities to share best practices with fellow integrators. "The strength of the Control4 ecosystem has always come from the expertise of our authorized dealers, and our commitment to their success has never been stronger," said Allie Copeland, senior vice president and chief operating officer at ADI. "As technology continues to transform the way people live and interact with their homes, we see a tremendous opportunity ahead for our customers." Copeland said the conference reflects ADI's commitment to helping dealers stay at the forefront of technology, build stronger businesses and deliver enhanced customer experiences. Since Control4 became part of ADI, the company said it has continued investing in the platform through developments including the X4 Operating System, Lux Lighting, Vibrant Lighting and T5 In-Wall Touchscreens. ADI has also expanded recurring revenue opportunities through Control4 Connect and Assist and enhanced dealer education through its Control4 Certified Technician program. ADI said Control4 NEXT is designed to strengthen connections across the Control4 ecosystem as demand grows for integrated smart home experiences that combine automation, lighting, security, networking, entertainment, energy management and emerging artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technologies. Control4 Certified Technicians can register for Control4 NEXT here.  

• Related: ADI begins trading as independent public company following Resideo spin-off 

Milestone to open flagship Experience & Collaboration Center in Oregon 

PORTLAND, Ore.—Milestone Systems, a provider of data-driven video technology, announced it will open a new flagship Experience & Collaboration Center in the Portland, Ore., area on Sept. 1. The immersive facility, located at the company's Lake Oswego office, is designed to give customers, partners and industry stakeholders a hands-on look at Milestone's video technology portfolio and how video data can be used to support security, operational efficiency and business intelligence initiatives. The center will showcase Milestone's product suite, including XProtect video management software, BriefCam AI-powered video analytics and Arcules cloud Video Security as a Service (VSaaS). The company said the facility will also highlight its approach to responsible, regulatory-compliant AI development using high-quality video data. “This space gives our customers and partners the freedom to see what's possible when you're not locked into a single vendor's roadmap,” said Tim Palmquist, vice president of Americas at Milestone Systems. “Video has moved far beyond security, and the center lets people test that for themselves, on real systems, with the same responsible approach to data that guides everything we build.” According to Milestone, the Experience & Collaboration Center will serve as a destination for demonstrations, collaboration and education for security, technology and facilities professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest. Kyle Craven, Milestone's channel business manager for Oregon, said the center underscores the company's commitment to growing its presence in the region. “We've done great work across the Pacific Northwest, but I don't think we've shown this region everything that we can do,” Craven said. “This ribbon-cutting is just the start. If you're in security, IT or facilities anywhere in Oregon or Washington, come see what a truly open platform looks like.” Milestone said the center will officially open during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 1 and will be available for tours and demonstrations by appointment afterward. 

• Related: Milestone gathers 400 security leaders to focus on AI-driven video intelligence 

Goessel USD 411 deploys ZeroEyes gun detection platform with Kansas grant funding 

GOESSEL, Kan.—Goessel USD 411 has deployed ZeroEyes' artificial intelligence (AI) gun detection and intelligent situational awareness platform across its two-campus district, with funding provided through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program. The rural Kansas school district serves approximately 285 students and employs 75 faculty and staff members. District officials said the technology was identified as a school safety priority through coordination with local law enforcement and community leaders. “I was very impressed by the system’s performance during our calibration process,” said Superintendent Scott Boden. “The ability to accurately detect and identify a handgun from a distance exceeded our expectations and gave us added confidence in the technology’s role in helping keep our schools safe.” ZeroEyes' software integrates with existing security cameras and uses artificial intelligence to identify visible firearms. When a potential threat is detected, images are sent to the company's 24/7 ZeroEyes Operations Center, where trained analysts review the alert. If validated, notifications containing information such as the weapon type, suspect description and last known location are sent to law enforcement and school officials. According to the companies, the deployment is intended to enhance cooperation between the district and local law enforcement agencies by enabling earlier threat detection and faster communication, particularly in a rural environment where resources and response times can be affected by geography. The district received funding for the project through the Kansas Safe and Secure Firearm Detection Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Kansas Attorney General. “Goessel USD 411 is taking an important step in strengthening school safety by implementing proactive detection technology,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “By leveraging grant funding to bring advanced capabilities into a rural environment, the district is demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting its students and staff while preserving the close-knit culture that defines its community.” 

• Related: Lincoln USD 298 deploys ZeroEyes gun detection technology