Home Article In brief: Pavion names Bierer, Graham acquires Immix, driving OSDP adoption

In brief: Pavion names Bierer, Graham acquires Immix, driving OSDP adoption

By SSN Staff

Updated 11:19 AM CDT, Wed September 23, 2026

CHANTILLY, Va.—Pavion has appointed Andy Bierer as chief executive officer, effective Sept. 14, succeeding Joe Oliveri, who is retiring after leading a period of significant growth and transformation for the integrated security and life-safety provider.

Oliveri will continue supporting the company as advisor to the CEO and board, helping ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Bierer joins Pavion from Automated Logic, a Carrier company and provider of building automation and control solutions, where he most recently served as president. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions at Carrier and Otis, overseeing large operations across North America and Europe and focusing on business growth, operational performance and workforce development.

The appointment marks a new chapter for Pavion, which has grown into one of the industry's largest providers of integrated security, fire, life-safety and critical communications solutions.

Oliveri played a key role in shaping that growth. During his tenure, Pavion expanded to more than 70 branches, completed and integrated 24 acquisitions, broadened its service portfolio and established an operating platform designed to support continued organic and acquisition-driven expansion.

Today, the company employs more than 2,500 people worldwide and generates more than $1 billion in annual revenue.

"Leading Pavion has been one of the greatest privileges of my career," Oliveri said. "I am incredibly proud of everything our employees have achieved together. Andy is an outstanding executive whose industry perspective, global experience, proven judgment, and commitment to people make him the right person to guide Pavion through its next stage of growth."

Bierer said he was impressed by the company's workforce, customer focus and industry reputation.

"I am honored to join Pavion and build on what Joe and the team have accomplished," Bierer said. "I was immediately struck by the caliber of the people here, the strength of the customer-first culture, and the trust the company has earned."

Looking ahead, Pavion's strategic priorities include improving the customer experience through service and platform innovation, expanding within core markets, investing in employees and operations, and pursuing selective acquisitions aligned with its long-term growth plans.

"Together, we will enhance the experience we deliver, strengthen our ability to connect and protect what matters most, and cement our reputation as a destination workplace for top talent and the integration partner of choice for the customers and communities we serve," Bierer said.

Graham Partners acquires Immix, expands remote video monitoring portfolio

PHILADELPHIA—Graham Partners, a private investment firm focused on advanced manufacturing and technology-enabled services businesses, has acquired Immix, a provider of remote video monitoring (RVM) workflow solutions.

According to Graham Partners, Immix serves commercial remote video and security monitoring centers globally through platforms that integrate video, audio, access control, sensors and AI analytics into a single interface.

The company said its platform serves as a system of record for more than 200 remote video monitoring customers and supports the monitoring of more than 100,000 businesses, schools and job sites.

The company said its platform serves as a system of record for more than 200 remote video monitoring customers and supports monitoring operations for more than 100,000 businesses, schools and job sites.

"Graham has significant experience investing in and growing safety and security technology businesses, and we believe Immix sits in the middle of one of the most exciting growth areas of that market, with the accelerating adoption of RVM," said Stephen Wittmann, principal at Graham Partners.

Founded in 2003, Immix provides workflow software for professional monitoring centers and enterprise security operations. Its flagship Immix Central Station platform enables monitoring centers to manage alarm events and video feeds from more than 500 supported device types through integrations with cameras, access control systems, sensors and analytics platforms.

The company's Immix Guard Force platform is designed for enterprise security operations centers, remote guarding providers and organizations that operate their own command centers.

"We are excited to support Immix in continuing to be a core enabler of this technology for customers around the globe," said Rob Newbold, managing partner and chief investment officer at Graham Partners.

Graham Partners said it plans to partner with the Immix management team to invest in the company's platform and capabilities as the company continues serving monitoring centers and enterprise security operations worldwide.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

dormakaba to acquire Alliants

RÜMLANG, Switzerland—dormakaba has signed a binding agreement to acquire Alliants, a U.K.-based hospitality technology provider, in a move that expands its hospitality offerings beyond physical access control and further connects hotel access with digital guest engagement.

Founded in 2009 in Southampton, England, Alliants provides guest experience software and managed services supporting more than 100,000 hotel rooms worldwide. Its platform includes concierge services, contactless check-in, mobile key capabilities, payments, messaging and agentic AI designed to support guests throughout their journey, from pre-arrival to post-stay engagement.

Together, the companies aim to offer hotels an end-to-end solution spanning digital guest engagement, room access and hotel operations.

"Hotel owners and operators increasingly view access and guest experience as part of the same strategy," said Till Reuter, CEO of dormakaba. "Alliants adds proven technology and deep hospitality expertise that help us better serve hotels today and as their needs evolve."

According to dormakaba, hospitality remains a key growth vertical for the company, and the acquisition reflects its continued investment in the sector while broadening the value it can provide hotel customers.

Tristan Gadsby, founder and CEO of Alliants, said the convergence of access control and digital guest services has created a need for more integrated solutions.

"Access and guest experience stopped being separate problems some time ago; the industry's tooling just hasn't caught up," Gadsby said. "Alliants brings the digital guest journey, and dormakaba brings a proven track record in access and a presence in more than 130 countries. Together we can offer hotels one route through it, without asking them to give up the partners they already trust."

The companies said both organizations will remain interoperable with third-party manufacturers and software providers, allowing hotels to continue working with existing partners across their technology stack.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close later this year, subject to regulatory approval.

AMAG, SIA partner on OSDP training initiative

Industry groups launch certification-focused program aimed at accelerating adoption of secure access control standard

SILVER SPRING, Md.—AMAG Technology and the Security Industry Association (SIA) have partnered to expand education and training around the Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP), a security communications standard that continues to gain traction across the access control industry.

The collaboration will introduce a tiered educational program designed to help security professionals better understand, deploy and support OSDP-based systems. The initiative combines SIA's OSDP educational offerings with AMAG Technology’s training curriculum and will provide participants with the opportunity to earn a SIA OSDP Certified badge.

The program is intended to serve a broad audience, including sales and marketing professionals, consultants, integrators, installers and end users. Training will focus on OSDP’s advantages over legacy communications protocols such as Wiegand, including enhanced security, interoperability and operational efficiency.

Together, the organizations aim to help security professionals educate customers on the benefits of OSDP and guide them through access control system upgrades.

“All of the leading access, identity and credential companies have adopted OSDP as their primary secure communications protocol,” said Kyle Gordon, executive vice president of global revenue and customer experience at AMAG Technology. “But building the technology is only half the battle: consultants and commercial teams need to know how to lead with it, and technical professionals need to know how to install and commission it correctly.”

Beyond foundational education, the initiative will include hands-on technical training focused on device setup, configuration and troubleshooting. Participants will also have access to SIA’s OSDP Boot Camp, which is designed to help professionals gain expertise in deploying and maintaining OSDP environments.

AMAG said it is the first manufacturer to make SIA-certified OSDP training part of its core curriculum, allowing participants to earn a SIA OSDP Certified badge while developing practical implementation skills.

“AMAG is proud to be the first manufacturer to make SIA certified OSDP training part of our core curriculum, with participants earning a SIA OSDP Certified badge upon completion, because that's where the promise of OSDP is actually realized,” Gordon said. “Consultants and commercial teams need to know how to lead with it, and technical professionals need to know how to install and commission it correctly.”

Exein raises $270M to advance physical AI security

ROME—Exein has raised $270 million in new funding at a $1.7 billion valuation to expand its presence in the United States and Asia-Pacific markets, the company says.

The funding round was led by Headline, with participation from Sofina, Goldman Sachs, the European Investment Bank Group through ETCI, KfW Capital and T.Capital, alongside existing investors including Balderton, HV, Lakestar and Geodesic Capital. The company also expanded its revolving credit facility led by J.P. Morgan.

About half of Exein’s revenue is already generated in the US and Asia-Pacific markets. The company recently established an APAC headquarters in Taiwan and said it intends to increase U.S. hiring, partnerships and customers while pursuing strategic acquisitions.

The company specializes in securing connected devices and intelligent machines, including robots, drones and autonomous vehicles. Its technology is currently deployed across more than 2 billion devices worldwide, placing it at the center of what it describes as the transition from cloud-based AI to "Physical AI," where machines can perceive, decide and act in the physical world.

Earlier this year, Exein launched Photon, a runtime security architecture that operates at the kernel level to stop malicious code before execution. The company is now developing a proprietary foundation model trained on telemetry collected from devices running its software, with the goal of creating autonomous security agents capable of responding to threats at machine speed.

"AI is moving out of the cloud and into the physical world, and this is the transition Exein was built for," said Gianni Cuozzo, founder and CEO of Exein. "Frontier models are pushing the patch window to zero. Attacks now happen at machine speed, so defense has to as well."

According to Exein, it is currently seeing approximately 5,000 new non-repetitive cyberattacks per week across its network, roughly five times the level recorded a year ago.

Clarey Zhu, partner at Headline, said the growing adoption of AI-enabled robotics, vehicles and critical infrastructure is creating a major new cybersecurity market.

"As AI moves into robots, vehicles and critical infrastructure, securing the physical world will become one of the defining cybersecurity challenges of the next decade," Zhu said.

Honeywell modernizes Marine Corps barracks access management

ATLANTA—Honeywell Technologies announced the successful deployment of a modernized access control platform for the U.S. Marine Corps, helping standardize and streamline barracks security management across installations worldwide. Managed and supported by the U.S. Navy's Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, the program uses Honeywell's LenelS2 OnGuard access control system as part of the Marine Corps' Barracks 2030 modernization initiative. The platform provides centralized access management designed to improve security, increase operational efficiency and meet Department of Defense cybersecurity requirements. Before the initiative, access control systems varied across Marine Corps installations, with many facilities relying on standalone locks and manual credential updates. Barracks managers often had to visit individual doors to change access permissions, creating administrative burdens and limiting visibility into access activity. Using a government-provided cloud environment, the Marine Corps implemented a centralized platform that enables remote credential management, activity monitoring and standardized security policies across participating installations. "The future of security lies in scalable, intelligent platforms that improve both operational performance and user experience," said Ewa Pigna, president of Security and Access Solutions for Honeywell Technologies Building Automation. "Working alongside the U.S. Marine Corps and our partners, we have delivered a modern access control solution that enhances security, strengthens cybersecurity posture and provides a consistent, reliable experience for Marines around the world."

2026 U.S. OSPAs winners announced at GSX

ATLANTA—The winners of the 2026 U.S. Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) were recognized Sept. 13 during a celebration held at GSX 2026 in Atlanta, marking the 11th year of the awards program. The U.S. OSPAs honor outstanding achievements by security professionals, organizations, teams and initiatives across the security industry. This year's winners were selected by a panel of 22 judges nominated by industry organizations and special interest groups. Among the individual honorees, Stefanie Moran of Keesler Federal Credit Union was named Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director for leading the security integration of one of the largest credit union mergers in Louisiana and Mississippi. Ed Ketcham of GardaWorld Security-U.S. earned Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director after helping reduce vehicle thefts and improve operational efficiency across a large Minneapolis security program. Guidepost Solutions' Security & Technology Practice received the Outstanding Security Consultant award, while the Safety, Security and Parking Team at Huntsville Hospital Health System was recognized as Outstanding Security Team for its innovations in healthcare security, including workplace violence prevention efforts and Alabama's first hospital K-9 program. GardaWorld Security-U.S. was named Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding), and ISC2's Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) Certification received honors for Outstanding Security Training Initiative. Other notable winners included the University of South Florida Security Training Collaborative for Outstanding Security Partnership, Kwema's Smart Badge Reel for Outstanding New Security Product, and Gallagher Security as Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer. Individual awards also went to James "Brian" Owens of GardaWorld Security-U.S. as Outstanding Security Officer, Dr. Anmol Agarwal of Nokia as Outstanding Young Security Professional, and Mary Gates of GMR Security Consulting as Outstanding Female Security Professional. The Outstanding Security Sustainability Award was presented to Project Blue, led by Mario Gates of Amazon Worldwide Operations Security, for combining community support, sustainability initiatives and security improvements. The event's highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Russell J. Cancilla, a longtime security executive, former military commander and enterprise risk management pioneer whose career has included White House service, federal leadership roles and leadership of global security programs at Baker Hughes. As part of the recognition, Cancilla will also be inducted into the Security Hall of Fame. Winners from select categories will automatically qualify for the 2026 Global OSPAs, scheduled to be held virtually in January 2027.

Athena Security launches AI-assisted X-ray platform for schools

SAUSALITO, Calif.—Athena Security has unveiled a new generation of its AI-assisted X-ray inspection platform designed for K-12 schools and hospitals, along with the launch of the A-Series, the company's first proprietary X-ray hardware platform. Athena said the system can process up to 2,000 bags per hour, helping schools and hospitals maintain high throughput without creating bottlenecks. The new platform replaces the traditional X-ray operator console with an iPad-based interface, allowing screening personnel to review scans using touch gestures rather than a fixed workstation. According to Athena, eliminating the console can free up approximately three feet of floor space, making security checkpoints more practical in space-constrained environments. "This announcement signals a concerted effort by Athena to not only better address security screening and reduce delays, but to make it possible in spaces where it may not have been before," said Chris Ciabarra, CTO and co-founder of Athena Security. "This furthers Athena's commitment to providing safer spaces for people to work, learn and socialize." Athena's vendor-agnostic platform is designed to integrate with X-ray equipment from multiple manufacturers rather than requiring organizations to replace existing hardware. The company said the platform uses AI-assisted detection to identify threats such as weapons and vaping devices while supporting existing screening infrastructure. Additional features include multimodal data fusion to improve detection accuracy, operator presence verification, automated performance testing and an isolated deployment architecture intended to minimize cybersecurity risks and IT requirements. The system's tablet platform utilizes FIPS 140-3 compliant hardware designed to meet government cryptographic standards. Among the innovations covered by Athena's patent application are cross-vendor normalization technology, a gesture-driven tablet interface and specialized hardware that connects legacy X-ray systems to the AI platform without modifying existing equipment.

SimpliSafe launches Video Doorbell Series 2

BOSTON—SimpliSafe has introduced the Video Doorbell Series 2, a new smart doorbell that combines 2K video quality, expanded head-to-toe visibility and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered detection with optional live monitoring services designed to deter crime before it occurs. The new device works with SimpliSafe Active Guard Outdoor Protection, allowing trained U.S.-based security agents to respond to potential threats detected by the camera. Agents can view live video, communicate through two-way audio, activate a siren, request police dispatch and help collect evidence during an incident. "We believe that a video doorbell should do more than simply record what happened and alert you after the fact," said Rebecca Zavin, SimpliSafe chief product and technology officer. "With Video Doorbell Series 2, we're expanding our portfolio of products that can help prevent crime." The Video Doorbell Series 2 features 2K resolution, a wider head-to-toe field of view, enhanced two-way audio and up to five seconds of pre-event recording. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Using AI-based analytics, the camera can detect people, packages and, in a future update, vehicles. Users can create customizable activity zones to reduce unwanted alerts from areas such as streets or neighboring properties. SimpliSafe said the device was designed with privacy and customer control in mind, allowing users to manage recording preferences and notifications through the SimpliSafe app. Customers with select monitoring plans can also create a library of familiar faces to help professional monitoring agents distinguish expected visitors from potential intruders. The Video Doorbell Series 2 is available now for $199.99 through SimpliSafe and select retailers. The device requires an existing wired doorbell setup and a SimpliSafe Base Station and Keypad. To access Active Guard Outdoor Protection, customers can subscribe to SimpliSafe's Pro monitoring plan for $49.99 per month or Pro Plus for $79.99 per month.

AFS backs growth plans for Alamo Smart Home, Arkansas Protection Services

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.—Alarm Financial Services (AFS) has provided financing to two independently owned security companies, Alamo Smart Home and Arkansas Protection Services (APS), to help support future growth initiatives and consolidate existing debt. The transactions, announced Sept. 16, allow both companies to refinance existing obligations under more favorable terms while establishing working capital for expansion. “Security companies with strong customer relationships are well-positioned to take advantage of new recurring revenue opportunities in the areas of AI-enabled video and access control,” said Jim Wooster, president of Alarm Financial Services. “We are proud to partner with Alamo Smart Home and Arkansas Protection Services to provide them with the capital that will allow them to take advantage of these new opportunities.” For San Antonio-based Alamo Smart Home, the financing will support both geographic expansion and acquisitions, according to President Michael Auerbach. “Organically, we're moving beyond San Antonio into Austin, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth, boots on the ground in each metro, not just a phone number with a Texas area code,” Auerbach said. “The capital funds the technicians, service vehicles, inside sales and CSR support we need to install and service accounts in all four markets.” Auerbach said the financing also provides flexibility to pursue acquisitions of security contractors and dealers across Texas, helping the company expand into larger commercial opportunities, including access control, video and multi-location accounts. Little Rock, Ark.-based APS plans to use the financing to strengthen its balance sheet and position the company for future growth, according to Principal Adam Prasse. “For us, this financing is about putting APS in a better position for the next stage of growth,” Prasse said. “Consolidating our existing debt gives us more flexibility to invest in our people, concentrate on our present projects, and be positioned to pursue strategic acquisition opportunities as they arise.” Prasse added that the partnership with AFS has also helped the company begin developing a more sophisticated approach to recurring revenue growth. AFS said the transactions reflect continued demand among independent security providers for financing solutions that support expansion, acquisitions and recurring revenue development. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Connected Technologies, Farpointe Data partner on mobile credentials

MONUMENT, Colo.—Connected Technologies has partnered with Farpointe Data to expand Apple Wallet and Google Wallet credential support to Farpointe's CONEKT mobile-ready readers, broadening deployment options for dealers and integrators using mobile access control technology. The companies announced that the integration will allow Connected Technologies' Connect ONE NFC Wallet Cards to work with Farpointe's CONEKT readers, providing what the companies described as a more cost-effective NFC wallet credential solution. Mobile credentials have become increasingly important as end users adopt smartphone-based access control systems, allowing credentials to be stored within native Apple Wallet and Google Wallet applications rather than requiring separate apps or physical badges. “Going beyond just a competitive cost, Connected Technologies' integration with Farpointe's CloudCONEKT benefits security integrators by deploying NFC access badges, Apple and Google, to end-users with a simple, quick and repeatable solution that requires minimal planning,” said Francisco Alcala, North American sales manager for Farpointe Data. According to Connected Technologies, its Connect ONE platform enables dealers to issue dealer-branded wallet credentials that display the dealer's name and logo whenever a user accesses the credential. The company said the platform eliminates the need for separate mobile applications and physical credentials. “Mobile credentials offer dealers a highly desirable way to attract and maintain customers while supporting new RMR opportunities,” said Dan Simon, technical director at Connected Technologies. “The partnership will enhance and expand the possibilities for dealers to deploy mobile credentials across a growing range of readers and manufacturers.” Connected Technologies said its NFC Wallet Cards are designed to work with any access control system, allowing dealers to maintain existing customer infrastructure while providing flexibility in reader selection. The company also said Connect ONE integrates access control, video, intrusion, fire and environmental systems into a single cloud-based platform designed to improve visibility and streamline operations.

Verkada expands platform with fleet security, cloud audio and AI integrations

SAN MATEO, Calif.—Verkada has expanded its physical security platform, introducing transportation security tools, cloud-managed enterprise audio and new artificial intelligence (AI) integration capabilities is announced during its annual VerkadaOne customer conference in Miami. The company said the new offerings are intended to extend real-time visibility, automated response capabilities and AI-driven workflows across enterprise environments. Among the most significant announcements was the launch of Verkada Transportation, a cloud-managed platform that combines video security and fleet management. The offering includes ruggedized vehicle cameras, a 5G and Wi-Fi gateway, vehicle diagnostic integrations and fleet monitoring tools. Security teams can access footage from vehicles whether they are moving or parked and search events using GPS location, driving behavior and vehicle health data. The platform also includes face-blurring technology intended to protect passenger privacy. Verkada also introduced Sound Systems, a cloud-managed audio platform that allows organizations to oversee speakers, announcements and ambient music through a single interface. The company further expanded its AI strategy with Catalyst, a read-only Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration that enables customers to connect Verkada Command with third-party AI platforms such as Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini. Verkada said Catalyst allows organizations to create customized operational workflows, reports and integrations using natural language prompts while maintaining control over agents and workflows through its read-only design. The company also announced a new thermal camera series for low-light and adverse-weather environments, six new FIPS-validated camera models for government applications and a new integration with Skydio drones. When specific alerts are triggered, the integration can automatically dispatch a drone to the scene and bring live footage into the Verkada platform. Other additions include a touchscreen intercom for multi-tenant buildings, a wireless access controller, AI-powered reception tools, employee check-in features, a compact alarm panel, expanded sensor connectivity and fire alarm monitoring capabilities. Verkada additionally introduced Verkada Maps, a 3D digital-twin view of facilities that displays connected devices within a centralized map interface and provides live previews when alarms or events occur. According to the company, software updates will begin rolling out Oct. 8, while new hardware products are expected to begin shipping in October and November.

ZeroEyes names insurance veteran David Macpherson strategic advisor

PHILADELPHIA—ZeroEyes has appointed insurance industry veteran David Macpherson as strategic advisor for risk and insurance, expanding the company's efforts to connect threat detection technology with risk management, crisis response and insurance solutions. The company announced that Macpherson will advise ZeroEyes on insurance strategy, alternative risk financing, customer risk management programs and engagement with insurers. “Human-verified threat detection, delivered in real time, can support better risk management, more effective crisis response and new approaches to financing weapons-related risk,” Macpherson said. “I am excited to help ZeroEyes develop this opportunity.” ZeroEyes is known for its human-verified visual firearm detection technology, which is designed to identify potential active shooter threats and provide real-time alerts to facilitate response efforts. The company said the appointment comes as it expands both its threat detection capabilities and its focus on risk management and recovery services. Macpherson is head of specialty at CJ Coleman and has more than 20 years of experience designing and implementing global insurance programs. In his advisory role, Macpherson will help ZeroEyes develop risk management and loss-control resources tied to its technology, evaluate insurance and alternative risk-financing opportunities, strengthen the company's Harborwatch Association initiative and build relationships within the commercial insurance industry. The Harborwatch Association, launched earlier this year, is an affiliated membership organization initially serving K-12 schools that deploy ZeroEyes' visual firearm detection technology. The program provides resources focused on preparedness, crisis response, resilience and risk-financing support following qualifying firearm-related incidents. “The most valuable insurance partnerships seek to do more than simply transfer risk,” Macpherson said. “They help organizations understand exposure, reduce risk, and respond more effectively when an event occurs. ZeroEyes has the operational foundation to pilot that model for the industry.”

EnGenius names Rachel Saunders vice president of sales for North America

COSTA MESA, Calif.—EnGenius Technologies has appointed Rachel Saunders as vice president of sales for North America, a move the company said supports its channel-focused growth strategy across the United States and Canada. In her new role, Saunders will lead EnGenius' North American sales organization, focusing on expanding distributor and partner relationships, developing new routes to market and enhancing sales enablement efforts. Saunders brings more than 17 years of experience in telecommunications, networking and technology sales. According to the company, she has helped build channel ecosystems in both North American and international markets. "I'm excited to join EnGenius at a time when there is such significant opportunity in front of the company and our partners," Saunders said. "My focus is on building a channel strategy that makes EnGenius easy to do business with and creates meaningful opportunities for our partners to grow." Eric Chen, general manager of EnGenius Technologies North America, said Saunders' channel expertise and industry relationships will help accelerate the company's partner-led strategy. "Our partners are at the center of our growth strategy, and her leadership will be instrumental as we make EnGenius an even stronger, easier company to do business with," Chen said.

Allied Universal marks National Security Officer Appreciation Week

IRVINE, Calif.—Allied Universal is recognizing security professionals nationwide during National Security Officer Appreciation Week, taking place Sept. 21-27. The company said the annual observance is intended to recognize the contributions of security officers and increase awareness of career opportunities within the security industry. "Security professionals deserve our appreciation for the skill, professionalism and commitment they bring to their work every day," said Steve Jones, global chairman and CEO of Allied Universal. "At Allied Universal, we value their contributions each day and I encourage everyone to take a moment this week to recognize a security professional and thank them for all they do." According to Allied Universal, the company established National Security Officer Appreciation Week in 2015 to highlight the work performed by security professionals in workplaces, schools, transportation hubs, retail environments and other public settings. The company is encouraging businesses, community organizations and individuals to recognize security officers during the week and share messages of appreciation on social media using the hashtags #SecurityOfficerAppreciationWeek and #ThankYouSecurity.

DICE unveils edge AI platform integrated with Ceila.ai

BAY CITY, Mich.—DICE Corp. has unveiled a new edge artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to process video analytics within a customer's network and integrate directly with the company's Ceila.ai event management platform. The company announced the platform Sept. 17 and said it is currently being evaluated by monitoring centers and enterprise customers, with general availability planned for the first quarter of 2027. The platform was demonstrated to customers during GSX 2026 and is undergoing trials with organizations including Clear Watch, a provider of virtual guarding services. It is designed to perform AI processing on-site rather than routing motion events through a third-party analytics provider before forwarding results to a monitoring platform. DICE said the system delivers analytics results directly into the same workflow used for alarm handling, video, audio and dispatch operations. The company said the platform supports a range of analytics capabilities, including person and vehicle classification, license plate recognition, people and vehicle counting, privacy masking, thermal imaging analysis and safety and compliance monitoring. It can also support customer-specific detection models developed for enterprise, retail and municipal applications. DICE said the platform is designed to remain camera-agnostic, supporting industry standards such as ONVIF as well as real-time streaming protocol (RTSP) connections for devices outside those standards. Development of the platform was driven in part by demand from national retail and multi-site enterprise customers seeking on-premise filtering of video events, according to the company. Clear Watch currently uses AI video detection on the DICE platform."In virtual guarding, our reputation is built on catching what matters and staying quiet about what doesn't," said Glen Carter, president of Clear Watch. "Running DICE's full detection library on the edge means the call gets made on site, in real time." The edge AI platform also extends the capabilities of Ceila.ai, which the company describes as a digital operator and co-pilot platform for monitoring centers and enterprise security operations centers. DICE said the system can evaluate live phone audio and video within the same workflow environment. According to the company, the platform operates on Linux-based infrastructure hosted in UL-listed facilities owned and operated by DICE. The company said it has invested in GPU computing infrastructure to support the program and has filed more than 20 patents related to Ceila.ai. "Everyone in this industry says they have AI," said Cliff Dice, president, CEO and founder of DICE Corp. "We built Ceila.ai with AI at the core of the event management platform rather than as a service we forward events to."

ZBeta launches drone and robotics consulting practice

SAN FRANCISCO—ZBeta has launched a new drone and robotics consulting practice aimed at helping organizations evaluate security risks and opportunities associated with autonomous and unmanned technologies. According to the company, the new offering is designed to help organizations assess drone-related threats, evaluate available technologies and develop strategies for incorporating drones and robotics into broader physical security programs. "Drones are effectively creating a new dimension of the physical security perimeter," said Andrew Corsaro, vice president of consulting services at ZBeta. "Organizations need to understand what is happening in and around their airspace, but they also need to think more broadly about where drones and robotics can strengthen their security programs." The launch comes as organizations face increasing concerns about unauthorized drone activity, including surveillance, disruption and potential threats to critical infrastructure. At the same time, drones and robotic systems are being deployed for applications such as security patrols, remote inspections, incident response and situational awareness. Under the new practice, ZBeta said it will provide services including airspace risk assessments, drone detection and counter-UAS strategy development, technology evaluations and operational planning. The company also plans to assist organizations with policies, procedures and response plans related to the use of autonomous technologies. In addition to addressing drone-related risks, the consulting practice will help organizations evaluate how drones and robotics can be incorporated into existing security operations. According to the company, its approach is designed to be technology-independent, focusing on an organization's specific risks, operational requirements and security objectives rather than a particular product or platform.

Pimloc expands document redaction capabilities in Pimloc Redact

LONDON—Pimloc has expanded the document redaction capabilities of its Pimloc Redact platform, adding support for PDFs, Microsoft Office files, emails and scanned documents. The company announced that the enhanced capabilities extend automated redaction beyond video, audio and image files, allowing organizations to manage multiple forms of sensitive data within a single platform. According to Pimloc, the software can automatically detect personally identifiable information (PII), including names, addresses and dates, while providing review tools that allow users to verify and modify redactions before files are shared. “Sensitive data doesn’t arrive in one format. It can be spread across video, audio, images and documents, often within the same project or case,” said Simon Randall, CEO and founder of Pimloc. “Pimloc Redact brings redaction across all four media types into one place, with one audit trail and one standard of accountability.” The new capabilities are intended for organizations that need to remove sensitive or personal information from documents before sharing them with legal teams, insurers, regulators or individuals submitting data requests. Users can begin reviewing and manually redacting documents immediately after upload while automated PII detection runs in the background, according to the company. Pimloc said the platform also allows users to search for specific words, phrases or numbers and apply redactions across multiple occurrences within a document. The company said redactions can be labeled to indicate why information was withheld and that all detections, edits and approvals are logged to create an audit trail of the review process. Users can also export documents with different redaction formats and remove document metadata before sharing. Completed files can be distributed through Pimloc Redact's secure file-sharing system using expiring links protected by two-factor authentication, according to the company. “When you’re working through hundreds of pages of sensitive information, every step you can simplify matters,” Randall said. “We’ve built Document Redaction around how people actually do this work, from finding personal information and checking what should be removed through to exporting and sharing the final file.” Pimloc said Pimloc Redact is part of a broader platform that also includes Pimloc Transcribe for automated transcription of video and audio and Pimloc Investigate for searching large volumes of footage.

LexisNexis launches self-calibrating AI fraud detection solution

ATLANTA—LexisNexis Risk Solutions has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered fraud detection platform designed to continuously adapt to evolving fraud patterns without requiring manual recalibration. The new solution, LexisNexis Emailage Adaptive, uses machine learning models that analyze email, IP address, phone, physical address and other risk signals to generate fraud risk scores tailored to each organization's transaction data and fraud trends. According to LexisNexis, the platform continuously learns from an organization's unique transaction history and fraud outcomes, automatically updating its predictive models to improve fraud detection accuracy while reducing false positives. In company testing, the AI-based architecture captured approximately 90% of fraudulent activity among the highest-risk transactions while reducing false-positive alerts by more than 80%, according to LexisNexis. The solution is designed for use across multiple industries and fraud prevention scenarios, including account opening, account management and payment transactions. With consumers maintaining billions of email accounts globally, LexisNexis said analyzing the history and usage patterns associated with email identities can provide valuable risk insights when combined with other fraud intelligence signals. The company said Emailage Adaptive is built on a fully AI-enabled architecture that continuously learns from customer transaction data, industry trends and emerging fraud patterns to refine risk models while providing explainable risk scores supported by reason codes. Dell Technologies has deployed the platform as part of its fraud prevention strategy. The company said the technology helped Dell double its high-risk fraud capture rates while reducing manual reviews of low-risk transactions by 83%. "The self-calibrating AI model has helped us modernize fraud prevention by minimizing reliance on static rules and manual policy adjustments," said Jeremy Cole, director of business operations at Dell Technologies. "Our fraud team can now calibrate less, act faster and approve more legitimate transactions with confidence." Fraud-related losses continue to increase globally. Data from LexisNexis' 2026 Cybercrime Report found that one in every 11 new account creations worldwide is a fraudulent attempt. The company also pointed to research indicating that U.S. businesses incur more than $5 in total fraud-related costs for every $1 of direct fraud loss. "As generative AI scales, fraud attacks are now happening at a faster rate than most manual prevention strategies can keep pace with, overwhelming systems and exposing businesses to ever greater risk," said Kimberly Sutherland, global head of fraud and identity at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "By continuously learning from fraud outcomes, backed by cross-industry risk intelligence, a self-calibrating fraud model can adjust instantly to subtle changes in fraud patterns, removing the lag between when patterns emerge and when defenses calibrate."

Quest Academy expands ZeroEyes gun detection deployment after successful pilot

WEST HAVEN, Utah—Quest Academy Charter School has expanded its deployment of ZeroEyes' gun detection and situational awareness technology following what school officials described as a successful first year using the system. The K-9 STEM-focused charter school, which serves approximately 1,000 students and employs about 100 faculty and staff members, has added the technology to more areas of its campus as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen its security program. Located in West Haven, Utah, Quest Academy operates two primary buildings as well as several portable classrooms. School officials said the campus employs a layered security approach that includes surveillance cameras, controlled access points and close coordination with local law enforcement. "Since initially deploying ZeroEyes, we have seen the value of adding proactive, technology-driven monitoring to our existing safety measures," said Dr. Dave Bullock, director of Quest Academy Charter School. "Expanding this solution allows us to further enhance our layered security strategy, ensuring we are not only prepared to respond to potential threats but positioned to identify and address them before they escalate." The school's initial deployment was supported in part through the Utah State Board of Education's School Safety and Support Grant Program, which helps schools adopt advanced security technologies. Following the initial rollout, Quest Academy elected to expand coverage to additional areas of the campus. ZeroEyes' software integrates with existing digital security cameras and uses artificial intelligence to identify visible firearms. When a potential threat is detected, images are sent to the company's operations center, where alerts are reviewed by trained personnel. If a threat is confirmed, notifications containing information such as a suspect description, weapon type and last known location are sent to school officials and law enforcement. Quest Academy falls within the jurisdiction of the Weber County Sheriff's Office and maintains relationships with multiple local law enforcement agencies, according to the school. "Schools today require a balance of advanced technology and experienced human oversight to effectively address safety challenges," said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. "Quest Academy is demonstrating a strong commitment to proactive security and continuous improvement, helping to create a safer environment for students and staff."

ViewScan launches updated AI monitoring platform, redesigned website

BAY SHORE, N.Y.—Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered monitoring provider ViewScan has launched an updated version of its ViewScan Protect platform along with a redesigned website aimed at improving customer access to resources and information. The company said the website features updated branding, simplified navigation and expanded content, including case studies, white papers, customer testimonials, FAQ resources and videos demonstrating real-world AI event detection. ViewScan also plans to add an ROI calculator designed to help customers estimate potential savings related to staffing, operational efficiency and energy usage. Alongside the website refresh, ViewScan announced enhancements to its ViewScan Protect platform, including expanded analytics capabilities, faster response times and earlier intervention features. According to the company, ViewScan Protect combines video analytics and environmental sensor monitoring within a single platform designed to provide security and operational intelligence. The system is built around three components: an AI engine that runs multiple analytics models, an event management platform that processes video and sensor inputs and generates alerts, and a front-end interface that provides situational awareness for operators and end users. ViewScan said the platform follows a five-step workflow of capture, detect, verify, deter and escalate. Video and sensor data are sent to an on-site gateway, where AI software analyzes information in real time for activity such as human presence, loitering, area-crossing behavior and environmental abnormalities. Alerts are then reviewed by a TMA-certified remote operator, who verifies the event and can issue live audio warnings when appropriate. If intervention is required, the operator can escalate the incident to local law enforcement or on-site security personnel, according to the company. ViewScan President David Antar said the latest updates reflect ViewScan's focus on combining AI analytics, human verification and privacy protections within a single monitoring platform. “Our mission has always been to create a smarter, safer and healthier world and ViewScan's latest innovation in AI-driven technology accomplishes this, while potentially saving our customers money,” Antar said.

HavenLock appoints Jason Lutz SVP of sales and channel

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—HavenLock has named Jason Lutz senior vice president of sales and channel, bringing a longtime security industry executive aboard as the company expands distribution of its Gen4 platform. In the role, Lutz will oversee HavenLock's sales strategy, channel development and partner engagement efforts, with a focus on growing the company's national dealer and integrator network. The appointment comes as HavenLock moves from product launch into broader national distribution, a phase the company said will rely heavily on strengthening relationships with distributors, dealers and systems integrators. Lutz will be responsible for developing channel programs and partner support initiatives aimed at accelerating growth. Lutz brings three decades of security industry experience to the position. He joined Resideo, then known as Ademco/Honeywell, in 2002 as a district manager for the Midwest region and spent 24 years with the company in a variety of leadership roles, including positions in national accounts and industry affairs. Most recently, he served as director of Resideo's Brand Ambassador Program. In addition to his corporate leadership experience, Lutz has held numerous industry volunteer positions. He previously served on the boards of the Electronic Security Association and the Security Industry Alarm Coalition, as well as the Alarm Industry Communications Committee and the Security Industry Association Executive Advisory Board. He currently serves as chair of Mission 500, a nonprofit organization that supports children and communities in need. "Jason has spent his career building relationships across every level of the security industry," HavenLock said in announcing the appointment. "His understanding of the channel and commitment to supporting partners will be instrumental as we continue expanding nationwide."

XSponse names Richie Perna chief revenue officer

MIAMI—XSponse has appointed Richie Perna chief revenue officer (CRO), tasking the security industry veteran with leading the company's national go-to-market strategy as it enters its next phase of growth and expansion. Perna joined the company Sept. 19 and will oversee go-to-market strategy, strategic partnerships, channel development and demand creation efforts, with a particular focus on the K-12 market. The appointment follows a recent strategic investment from Armory Capital and comes as XSponse shifts from a period of product development to a broader push for market expansion and commercial growth. Perna also reunites with XSponse CEO Lee Mandel. The two previously worked together for nearly eight years, helping grow a security business that was ultimately sold. "Richie is not a traditional CRO, and that is exactly why I wanted him in this role," Mandel said. "He is a market maker. He understands customers and this industry, knows how to create demand where it doesn't yet exist, and has the ability to build relationships and open doors that very few people can." According to the company, Perna's responsibilities will extend beyond sales leadership to include shaping how XSponse positions and delivers its connected safety and emergency response technologies to the market. A key part of that effort will be simplifying the company's go-to-market approach around specific operational and safety challenges faced by customers. Perna most recently served as chief strategy officer at Day Automation/Stark Tech, where he focused on strategic growth, market development and school safety initiatives. His background includes work across physical security, emergency communications, mass notification, access control, video surveillance, lockdown systems and life-safety technologies. "We have incredible technology, but great technology by itself doesn't build a great company," Perna said. "The market has to understand it, customers have to want it, and partners have to know how to bring it to their customers. That's where I see the opportunity."

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