OPTEX Security EMEA: Pushing the boundaries of what is possible

ISJ May Edition Exclusive

ISJ hears exclusively from Hiraku Shibuya, Business Strategy Director, OPTEX Security EMEA.

OPTEX is a global leader in sensing solutions. With more than 40 years’ experience, the company specialises in developing and innovating security sensing, utilising solutions using various detection technologies. OPTEX security solutions are highly regarded and respected worldwide, with applications deployed at some of the most critical security sites across the globe.

Established in 1979 in Japan, the OPTEX Group is committed to creating a safe, secure and comfortable society by continually innovating to address the rapidly changing challenges faced by individuals and companies daily. The company focuses on uncovering the fundamental issues underlying a problem to develop long term intelligent and user friendly solutions.

While OPTEX is primarily associated with security devices, OPTEX is much more than a provider of crime prevention systems. The company sees its role in the broadest sense possible, dedicated to creating sensing technologies that enhance safety, security and comfort across various environments and sectors. Its innovative approach to developing concepts and applications has made it an industry leader. Rather than merely reacting to change, the company strives to identify new markets and steer emerging trends in a positive direction.

The power of sense and vision

Market trends tell us of an increasing level of integration between sensors and video to guarantee reliability. The sensors reliably detect intrusions and activate the camera to allow the user to visually verify the event and take the appropriate action.

The role of sensors in a security system is crucial, especially in outdoor environments where reliable detection is particularly challenging to achieve. Detection technologies have been specifically designed to ‘detect’ and will perform reliably, not affected by different lighting conditions or weather changes.

The biggest challenge that sensing technologies help to overcome, besides creating reliable and accurate detection, is avoiding false alarms, which is one of the major issues faced in the industry today. OPTEX is an expert in the development of intelligent security sensing solutions in a wide range of technologies, including LiDAR, fibre optic, passive and active infrared detection technology.

Video is of course a critical component in a security system. Visual verification of events is not only great for business operations, it also helps to build operator trust in the security system. In order to meet the challenge of verifying alarms, our cloud-based visual monitoring solution, CHeKT, can enhance the effectiveness of the security system by connecting outdoor and indoor sensors, ONVIF compliant cameras and other third party devices to provide an all-encompassing visual verification event-driven solution.

As soon as an alarm goes off, regardless of the time of day, a user can instantly be 100% sure of what is going on within the protection zone with optimised video and can make an informed decision.

Customer-centric innovation

OPTEX is on a journey to discover the full potential of sensing technologies. Our goal is to address challenges and problems faced by society and develop solutions while keeping up with the latest trends. We believe that problems and trends are the catalysts for innovation.

We are empowered by finding solutions that meet our customers’ needs and hence why keeping a close conversation and understanding of the market is key to our approach in developing new solutions. We continue to grow our business in the EMEA region, with more local representatives, which allows us to be closer to our customers and understand market needs.

When we hear phrases like, “that’s really annoying” or “I don’t know what to do”, we see them as opportunities to find solutions. Our innovative solutions have the potential to create a brighter future for society as a whole. One of the most recent examples is our REDSCAN Pro LiDAR Series, which was born from years of research and feedback from our customers on what features they need and what applications they want to use our LiDAR technology for.

Data analytics and intelligence in sensing technologies

Data analytics is playing an increasingly important role in security, particularly in the areas of threat detection and response. With the advancements in technology, data can be collected, analysed and used to create real time alerts and reports, allowing for quick and effective responses to potential security breaches.

One of the key benefits of data in security sensing technologies is the ability to detect patterns and anomalies, allowing for the identification of potential security breaches before they occur. For instance, if a sensor detects abnormal movement, it can trigger an alert to security personnel allowing them to respond immediately and mitigate any potential security risks.

Data can be used to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of security sensing technologies. Some of our detectors are equipped with algorithms that can analyse large volumes of data to identify patterns, and over time, they can learn to distinguish between normal and abnormal patterns; this allows them to detect and distinguish changes in the environment from genuine intrusions.

Improving interoperability with OPTEX technology

The integration between devices and systems is a fundamental aspect for the distribution of the system itself. It should be the manufacturers’ task to actively collaborate with each other to favour connectivity and facilitate the work of system integrators and installers. OPTEX has worked with all major VMS platforms with the aim of integrating our IP sensors.

We are also moving towards ONVIF standards for the transmission of sensor data and already several of our sensors, including the award-winning LiDAR REDSCAN Pro, which are compliant with ONVIF standards, increasing its flexibility of use with any ONVIF compliant platform.

Another important topic we focus on is device monitoring. A security system must ‘know’ if any device on its network, including our sensors, has been tampered with, lost connection or is not functioning as it should. This constant monitoring of the health status of devices is key to maintaining the integrity of the security system.

Ensuring network and communication security

OPTEX has taken steps to ensure the security of its technology, particularly in relation to intrusion detection sensors, IP devices that connect directly to the network. The development team has taken care to ensure that the communication protocol used for these sensors is extremely secure and compatible with the VMS or PSIM management systems they integrate with.

For example, the REDSCAN range supports the https protocol and the company plans to release new products that will support https, SNMPv3 and IEEE802.1X.

We are committed to providing customers with the latest and most secure technology to protect assets and ensure the safety of their personnel. This includes developing sensors that are compatible with a range of different management systems and ensuring that they meet the highest standards of security. By staying up to date with the latest protocols and standards, OPTEX can provide its customers with the peace of mind they need in an increasingly interconnected world.

What next for OPTEX?

As technology continues to evolve, the importance of data, connectivity and visual verification in security sensing technologies is likely to increase – and it will remain a critical element in our developments. At OPTEX, we want to continue shaping the industry, pushing the boundaries of what is possible to bring customers the most advanced security solutions. We have a range of exciting new sensors being introduced across EMEA throughout this year.

EchoPoint

The latest development in fibre optic sensing technology, the new FiberSensys EchoPoint series, utilises intelligent detection algorithms to deliver highly accurate and reliable pinpoint detection within a range of up to 100km. With a detection accuracy of +/- 6m, the sensors are ideal for securing large perimeters and high-security sites, including airports, logistics centres, critical infrastructure as well as data conduits and pipelines.

One of the key advantages of the EchoPoint series is its advanced pattern-recognition classification algorithm that distinguishes between genuine intrusion attempts and common causes of false alarms, such as wildlife and environmental conditions. The sensors are also immune to electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference and lightning, making them ideal for hazardous critical infrastructure.

The EchoPoint series is highly versatile and can be used across multiple applications, such as fence-mounted, buried or in a hybrid layout. When mounted on a fence, the sensors can detect someone cutting the fence or attempting to climb it. When buried, the system can differentiate between footsteps, manual and machine digging and vehicle movements.

Intelligent software zoning allows for the configuration of different detection zones with independently adjustable sensitivity and output, providing maximum capture rates and minimising nuisance alarms. The EchoPoint DAS EP9000 series is now available in EMEA.

To find out more information, visit: www.optex-europe.com

This article was originally published in the May edition of ISJ. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.