In brief: RapidSOS goes to Hollywood, AA deploys dormakaba gates at DFW, D-Fend rolls Tide

NEW YORK—Actor and public safety advocate Jeremy Renner announced that he has partnered with public safety artificial intelligence (AI) company RapidSOS to support the company's work with emergency response systems and first responders. 

Renner, who survived a near-fatal snowcat accident in Washoe County, Nev., on Jan. 1, 2023, developed a deep personal commitment to the first responders who protect communities like his own. That commitment is part of what drew him to RapidSOS, united by a shared mission to ensure the heroes on the front lines of public safety have the critical information they need to save lives. 

Developed over 10 years in partnership with public safety, RapidSOS provides purpose-built AI for emergency response - supporting the life-saving work of 23,500+ public safety agencies in over 500,000 emergencies per day. During an emergency, RapidSOS HARMONY AI fuses critical data from the world's largest safety network of over 723 million connected devices directly into 911 and first responder systems. As of 2025, that platform has supported emergency response operations in over 1.1 billion emergencies in 15 countries. 

"Our first responders and healthcare workers put their lives on the line every day. Being able to help our helpers is personally important to me," said Renner. "What they need is the right information, at the right moment. When they have it, they can come together and solve problems. That's why I'm excited to partner with RapidSOS, to support the people on the front lines and the work they do every day." 

Life-saving information is fragmented across closed, disconnected systems - home alarms, crash detection, medical alert devices, hazmat sensors, cameras, emergency buttons - creating critical delays in emergency response. Responders and security teams are forced to act without the full picture when every second is a matter of life or death. 

RapidSOS was built by public safety to solve this. Trusted by over one million first responders, RapidSOS technology powers its large Safety Network. During an emergency, HARMONY AI then transforms this real-time data into mission-critical intelligence, delivered to the people who need it most. 

"First responders do extraordinary work every day," said Michael Martin, founder and CEO of RapidSOS. "But for too long we've asked them to rush into millions of emergencies with almost no information. In partnership with public safety, we are building the first AI platform developed for mission critical response operations - providing an immediate full picture of any emergency." 

The announcement comes during National Telecommunicators Week. Every day, 240 million calls are placed to 911 in the United States. The telecommunicators who receive those calls do extraordinary work, often without the tools or recognition they deserve. This partnership between Renner and RapidSOS exists to help support both. 

"Today AI is used for so many things, but at RapidSOS, we are clear on its highest and best purpose: for helping people at their most vulnerable moments, getting the right insights to the right first responder when a life is on the line," said Jose Mejia, president and COO at RapidSOS. "That's what we built in partnership with public safety at RapidSOS. That's what Jeremy Renner believes in. And that's why this partnership matters: this is AI for the ultimate good." 

The partnership kicks off with “Behind the Emergency,” a short documentary featuring Renner, premiering April 29. The documentary follows Renner's journey of discovery into the world of modern emergency response and the technology that supports it. Beginning with his personal survival story, it explores the life-saving work of first responders and healthcare professionals and how mission-critical tools support them. 

The premiere will take place in Reno, Nev., with virtual tickets available. Register here for the “Behind the Emergency” Exclusive Virtual Premiere on April 29, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. PT/2:30 p.m. ET.   

More details about the partnership can be found at rapidsos.com/renner. 

American Airlines set to scale dormakaba’s electronic boarding gates 

FORT WORTH, Texas—American Airlines has launched electronic boarding gates at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).  

Following a successful pilot in November 2025, American is installing dormakaba electronic boarding gates at scale, starting in the new DFW Terminal C Pier Expansion.  

“Boarding plays a key role in how customers experience the final moments before their flight, and electronic boarding gates will further elevate that experience, creating a more seamless and consistent process,” said American’s Heather Garboden, chief customer officer. “This innovative change is part of a broader shift toward creating a more intuitive travel journey, one that blends technology and service to guide customers through each step with greater ease and confidence, delivering a modern, consistent experience wherever they travel with us.”  

Electronic boarding gates are powered by proprietary infrastructure and technology designed to guide customers smoothly through the boarding process. 

The nearly 20 dormakaba Argus Air XS electronic boarding gates will support customers and team members throughout the boarding process by: 

• Streamlining manual tasks for American’s team members during boarding, allowing them more time to provide exceptional customer service and operationally critical tasks 

• Providing clear, American-branded touchscreen instructions so customers know exactly what to expect 

• Automatically validating boarding passes before opening, allowing customers to proceed smoothly to the aircraft 

• Regulating the pace of boarding to reduce congestion and improve jet bridge flow 

D-Fend Solutions chosen to provide counter-drone technology for University of Alabama 

RA'ANANA, Israel, and MCLEAN, Va.—D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir has been chosen as a counter-drone technology supplier for the University of Alabama for its campus and game-day airspace security.  

As a Tier One R1 research institution, the University of Alabama operates as a "small city," spanning 3.5 square miles with 330 buildings and nearly 50,000 students, faculty, and staff.  

During football season, the campus becomes one of the largest population centers in the state. Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium hosts more than 100,000 fans, while the "sea of humanity" on the campus quad and surrounding areas can draw an additional 70,000 tailgaters.  

"D-Fend and EnforceAir have been game-changers for us," said Michael Kelley, director of security technologies at the University of Alabama. "Our situational awareness has expanded dramatically. Not only do we know what is in the airspace around our campus, but we have the ability to mitigate if necessary."  

During one evaluation period, the system identified well over a thousand drones operating in the vicinity, underscoring the massive scale of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) activity over collegiate environments. The university recognized that unauthorized drones present risks ranging from accidental collisions and falling debris to the disruption of high-level research and athletic events, said the company.  

"Higher-education institutions face unique challenges: open environments, major public events, critical research, and evolving regulatory frameworks," said Zohar Halachmi, CEO and chairman of D-Fend Solutions. "EnforceAir enables proactive, non-disruptive control that aligns with both safety and operational continuity." 

SIA announces details for 2026 AcceleRISE conference, opens call for speakers 

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced details for AcceleRISE - a unique event hosted by the SIA RISE community for young professionals and emerging leaders in the security industry. This year’s AcceleRISE is scheduled for Aug. 3–5 in San Diego. 

AcceleRISE brings together emerging professionals from across the security industry to explore the ideas, challenges and perspectives shaping the next generation of security leadership. Each year, the conference focuses on practical insights, real-world experiences and conversations that challenge conventional thinking about how security is designed, implemented and led. 

SIA is seeking fresh ideas and speakers for this year’s AcceleRISE and has opened the call for speakers for the 2026 conference. This year’s conference proposals should challenge assumptions, present real-world experiences and highlight the perspectives that shape how security is designed, implemented and operated. Sessions should focus on ideas, experience and industry insight rather than product promotion.  

Topics of interest include: 

• The many sides of security, or exploring the same security challenges from multiple perspectives 

• The security gap, or when industry assumptions miss the end user 

• End-user perspectives and real-world security 

• Security strategy and operational design 

• Security leadership and business decision making 

• Policy, regulation and security 

• The future of security 

• Business, marketing and industry strategy 

• Professional growth and industry leadership 

• Ethics, sustainability and industry responsibility 

• Security foundations and skill builders 

“AcceleRISE is the leading professional development event experience in our industry.  The conference gathers a diverse and dynamic group of young professionals, those new to our industry and emerging security leaders for a high-impact, high-energy experience. We are excited to bring this unique event to the west coast and the vibrant city of San Diego this year,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “We highly encourage security YPs to attend and our member companies to send their young security talent to this highly respected event, and we welcome industry leaders, experts and rising stars to share their ideas for great conference content.” 

Speaking proposals are due Tuesday, May 12; learn more and share your idea here. 

Registration is open for AcceleRISE 2026! SIA members save $100 on registration, and you can access early bird savings too now through April 30; learn more and get your ticket here.

dormakaba names Heather Torrey as executive vice president, Americas 

INDIANAPOLIS—dormakaba has named Heather Torrey as its new executive vice president for the Americas. Torrey comes to dormakaba from Honeywell, where she most recently served as the general manager for the security and access solutions business in the Americas. A proven transformative leader, Torrey brings experience leading commercial organizations, managing complex channel structures, and working in international environments, including more than a decade in the Asia-Pacific region. “Heather joins us at a pivotal time as we accelerate our growth strategy across North America,” said Steve Bewick, chief commercial officer, dormakaba. “Her proven ability to drive transformation and build strong, collaborative teams will be instrumental as we continue to deliver value to our customers and partners." In her new role, Torrey will be responsible for defining and executing commercial strategy, strengthening customer engagement, and driving alignment with global priorities across the region. She will be based in Indianapolis, home of dormakaba’s Americas headquarters.  

Kat Tallman named executive vice president at COPS Monitoring 

WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J.—COPS Monitoring announced that Kat Tallman has been named executive vice president of software and technology. Tallman’s promotion expands the leadership of a respected executive whose deep experience across operations and technology will help strengthen innovation, support dealers, and enhance the service that protects their customers. In her new role, Tallman will oversee a broader technology and operational portfolio that includes existing software development for Generations and MPower, network infrastructure and integrity, network security, and vendor and product integrations, including APIs. Her responsibilities now extend across teams supporting technology in multiple facilities and locations, encompassing approximately 20 professionals and reflecting a significant expansion in scope and leadership impact. 

ProdataKey (PDK) releases its first wireless locking solution 

DRAPER, Utah—ProdataKey (PDK), a cloud-based access control provider, has announced the release of its first wireless locking solution - the Red Wireless Locksets. These devices join the extensive list of PDK's hardware offerings, including door controllers, readers, head-end units, and more. The Red Wireless Locksets were designed to simplify the securing of doors that are typically difficult or expensive to reach. Available in the form of a cylindrical lock and a deadbolt with options for customization when ordering via distribution, the Red Locksets provide an unmatched flexibility for PDK partners when designing systems. The Red Locksets are also compatible with the full range of ProdataKey credentials: prox, high-security, PIN, Bluetooth, and mobile. 

Totem expands into North America with RVM operations support  

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador—Totem announced its continued expansion into the North American security market, offering monitoring centers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico a verified, cost-effective solution for 24/7 remote video monitoring (RVM) operations support. As U.S. monitoring centers face growing pressure to expand coverage while managing labor costs, Totem provides a trusted extension of their operations staffed by trained security operators, powered by advanced video analytics, and backed by redundant infrastructure supporting over 10,000 cameras across commercial and industrial environments. “U.S. monitoring centers need partners they can trust to deliver consistent, high-quality service, not just lower costs,” said Luis Fernando Uribe Blum, CEO of Totem. “Totem has built a proven infrastructure and trained operations team that functions as a seamless extension of any central station. Our goal is to help North American providers scale confidently without compromising the level of service their clients expect.”  

Allied Universal CSO William J. Walker Named to Government Executive Hall of Fame  

IRVINE, Calif.—Allied Universal announced that its chief security officer, retired U.S. Army Major General William J. Walker, has been named to the Government Executive 2026 Hall of Fame, recognizing a career spanning more than three decades in federal law enforcement, military service and public security leadership. Walker joined Allied Universal as CSO following a career that included senior leadership roles with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Army and the National Guard, as well as service as the 38th Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was the first African American to hold that position. Government Executive’s annual Hall of Fame honors public servants whose careers have had a significant impact on federal government operations and public service. Walker was cited for his leadership across military, law enforcement and congressional security roles.   

Elite appoints Peter Hargittay as new chief revenue officer   

LOS ANGELES—Elite Interactive Solutions has named Peter Hargittay as its new chief revenue officer. He brings more than 25 years’ experience designing revenue systems that align marketing, sales, partnerships and customer success. Hargittay’s background spans branding, demand generation, enterprise sales, partner ecosystems, and post-sale organizations. As CRO for Elite, he will be responsible for all revenue-generating processes, aligning sales, marketing, customer success, and revenue operations to drive growth. “My approach springs from a full customer lifecycle perspective - including acquisition through retention, expansion, and advocacy. I favor an account-based experience that aligns marketing, sales, and customer success around shared account ownership to increase net revenue retention and expansion,” says Hargittay. “I am excited to apply my skills and join the winning team at Elite, whose innovative approach to crime prevention has paced the remote guarding industry and is transformative to security overall.” 

Reconeyez appoints Mark Williams as vice president - sales EMEA 

TALLINN, Estonia—Reconeyez, a provider of AI-powered, autonomous security solutions, has announced the appointment of Mark Williams as vice president - sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Williams strengthens its leadership team as the company enters a new phase of international expansion, having recently joined the VOSKER group. Williams is a well-known figure in the security industry, with a background at a major integrator, and brings additional experience from senior roles at AMAG and Remsdaq. His background spans both the manufacturer and integrator side of the market, giving him a strong understanding of the commercial, operational, and partner requirements shaping security growth across EMEA. “Mark joins Reconeyez at an incredibly exciting time for the business,” said Peter Young, CEO of Reconeyez. “Having joined the VOSKER group, we are bringing together two industry-leading technologies, VOSKER and Reconeyez, to deliver the best in remote surveillance and perimeter protection for remote and hard-to-reach sites.”  

Arkansas Electrical Inspector Association joins NFPA to establish EIS Affiliate Chapter 

QUINCY, Mass.—The National Fire Protection Association announced that the Arkansas Electrical Inspector Association has been designated as its latest Electrical Inspection Section Affiliate Chapter (EIS). Through its affiliation with NFPA, the Arkansas Electrical Inspector Association will support the state’s electrical inspection community, providing education, training, and opportunities for professional connection. “NFPA is pleased to welcome the Arkansas Electrical Inspector Association as an EIS Affiliate Chapter,” said Tim McClintock, NFPA lead regional electrical specialist and executive secretary of the Electrical Inspection Section. “This partnership strengthens collaboration between NFPA and the Arkansas electrical enforcement community, enabling us to address emerging electrical safety issues together and reinforce our shared commitment to community safety.”   

Intercede announces extended support for IDEMIA Public Security device portfolio 

RESTON, Va.—Intercede, a provider of identity and credentialing solutions for federal and enterprise customers, announced that the latest version of its flagship product, MyID CMS 12.18, now supports an extended range of security keys and authentication devices from IDEMIA Public Security (IPS). This expanded integration marks a significant milestone in the complementary use of FIDO2 and PIV (Personal Identity Verification) authentication protocols. The latest IPS devices are the first solution on the market to deliver FIDO authentication built on the same COSMO X platform used to achieve FIPS 201 PIV certification - offering federal agencies and large enterprises an unprecedented pathway to modernize their authentication infrastructure without abandoning their existing PKI investments. The combination marks a fundamental shift in how organizations approach enterprise and federal identity.  

Pfannenberg to display industrial fire alarm signaling solutions at NFPA Conference    

LANCASTER, N.Y.—Pfannenberg, a global provider of thermal management and signaling technologies, will showcase industrial fire alarm signaling solutions at the 2026 NFPA Conference & Expo, taking place June 22-24 at the Mandalay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The company will highlight products and application expertise that help engineers and facility teams build effective fire alarm systems. “As industrial environments become louder and more complex, the need for clear, code-compliant alarm coverage continues to grow,” said Jacob Vernon, product manager for audible and visual signaling at Pfannenberg. “Through our PATROL, PYRA, and PROTECT product families, along with tools that make selection easier and more precise, we enable engineers to design reliable, standards-aligned fire alarm systems for harsh industrial settings.” 

ZeroEyes Public Safety Alerts with Samdesk integration now available 

PHILADELPHIA—ZeroEyes has announced the availability of its Public Safety Alerts solution, powered by Samdesk, to deliver real-time risk detection and situational awareness at unprecedented speed and accuracy. The integrated solution enables organizations to move from reactive responses to proactive security strategies by providing verified, contextual intelligence as events unfold.  ZeroEyes’ Public Safety Alerts combine advanced artificial intelligence (AI) with human analyst verification to deliver proactive risk detection. Powered by Samdesk’s intelligence engine, the solution aggregates real-time data from billions of open-source and licensed feeds to instantly detect emerging incidents and clusters of activity. “By integrating Samdesk into our Public Safety Alerts platform, we can deliver faster, verified intelligence to help organizations understand emerging risks and act with confidence,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes. “Combining AI speed with human verification ensures teams know what’s happening, where it matters, and how to respond effectively.”