RiskUKOctober2017

News Special: Cortech Open Innovation Events 2017
COIE: Spotlight on Industry Challenges
Cortech Developments (the specialist in risk
mitigation and dedicated provider of
integrated software solutions for Critical
National Infrastructure and high security
environments) was joined at the Glasgow COIE
by leading manufacturers Avigilon, Commend,
Harper Chalice and Paxton. Delegates
comprised an even split between end users and
consultants, while sector representation was
made up of professionals from local authorities,
custodial operations and the banking,
education, healthcare and utilities sectors.
Reflecting on the value of the event for
visitors, Jason Blundell (head of sales at
Cortech Developments) stated: “A key objective
of the COIE series is to provide a platform for
engagement around industry challenges faced
in the management and operation of
technology. We then take this a step further by
addressing many of these challenges through
the live smarter interoperability demonstration
and one-to-one discussions with technology
experts during the course of the day.”
Some of the challenges put forward by
delegates included combining legacy and new
technology, the remote monitoring and control
of technology, closed protocols, futureproofing,
lockdown capability and
understanding the differences between a
Security Management System (SMS) and a
Video Management System (VMS).
Blundell explained that the SMS versus VMS
comparison is largely about education and the
specific strategic objectives and operational
requirements of an organisation. “There seems
to be some confusion among many end users
on the differences between an SMS and a
VMS,” said Blundell. “A VMS platform relies on
ONVIF for third party CCTV integration and is
primarily designed as a video management
solution that markets itself as ‘open’. This
openness is partly due to the reliance on ONVIF
and third party interfaces which are sometimes
not everything that they might seem.”
Blundell continued: “They’re generally lowlevel
integration and suitable for many
applications, but not necessarily suitable for
high-end, mission-critical remote monitoring
and control where the management of the site,
its systems, events and alarms are a
prerequisite. It’s also worth noting that ONVIF
isn’t currently viable for the replay of video.
Therefore, replay would always be via the VMS
manufacturers’ recorders, which could incur an
additional expense. That’s different to the
The Cortech Open Innovation Event (COIE) series returned to
Glasgow on 26 September, bringing into sharp focus industry
challenges, smarter interoperability, innovative technology,
the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and
cyber security resilience measures. Brian Sims reports
scenario realised when integrating via an SMS
using the manufacturer’s SDK.”
Monitoring and control
An SMS is designed to be the overall Graphical
User Interface (GUI) for all security, fire and
building systems. Operators use 3D maps of
local and remote buildings showing devices
and alarm locations.
Blundell observed: “SMS integration offers
monitoring and control of these security, fire
and building systems, alarm or event
management, measurable response that can
change depending on the time of day or day of
the week, for instance, full audit trail and
management reporting, cause and effect and
situational awareness of all the other systems.”
Blundell added: “Therefore, rather than
being part of one control system interfacing
with others, it’s a separate ‘layer’ that sits over
any manufacturer’s system. The client is free to
choose the ‘Best of Breed’ systems with which
to interface and operate a control platform
that’s truly manufacturer agnostic.”
As with previous COIE events, there was also
a focus on the future and what’s topical and
relevant for the industry moving forward.
Guest speaker Scott Simpson, CEO of The
Security Circle, addressed attendees on GDPR
compliance and the cyber security implications.
“The GDPR provides organisations with an
opportunity to enhance their information
security practice from technical, governance
and legal perspectives,” explained Simpson.
COIE Knutsford
The final COIE of 2017 – for which Risk UK is the
Official Media Partner – will be hosted at
Cortech Developments’ headquarters in
Knutsford, Cheshire on Tuesday 7 November.
Attending manufacturers on this occasion
include Commend, Geutebruck, Grosvenor
Technology and Intech Solutions.
Steve Pilkington (technical director of IT
consultancy Italik) will deliver a Keynote
presentation to delegates offering an insight
into the current cyber crime landscape and the
ten steps towards cyber risk management.
Jason Blundell: Head of Sales
at Cortech Developments
*Join Cortech Developments
and its partners at COIE
Knutsford. Visit
www.coie.uk.com for details
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