TMA ASAP Service Implemented in Two New Jurisdictions – Bring total to 96

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Two new ECCs went live with TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP service during the week of January 24, 2022. These additional sites bring the total number of ECCs using ASAP service to 96.

The Thurston County WA 9-1-1 Communications, also known as “TCOMM911”, is the 95th public safety communications center in the United States and the 2nd agency in the state of Washington to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). TCOMM911 went live on Monday, January 24, 2022, and Tuesday, January 25, 2022, with Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Guardian Protection, United Central Control, Securitas, Security Central, Tyco (Johnson Controls), National Monitoring Center, Affiliated Monitoring, Protection One, Brinks, Vivint, ADT, and Stanley Security.

On Thursday, January 27, 2022, Talladega County Alabama 9-1-1 became the 96th ECC in the United States and the 3rd ECC in the state of Alabama to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). Talladega went live on Thursday, January 27th with Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Securitas, Affiliated Monitoring, ADS, Tyco (Johnson Controls), Security Central, Protection One, Brinks Home Security, Vivint, Stanley Security, Guardian Protection, Alert 360, and National Monitoring Center. ADT will be brought online at a later date.

Learn more about ASAP-to-PSAP service here.

 

US Defense Industry Targeted with New USB-Based Ransomware Attacks

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The FBI recently released a notice about cybercriminal group FIN7, according to a Bleeping Computer article, warning defense contractors to be wary of USB drives being sent through the mail. According to the notice, FIN7 is impersonating Amazon and the Department of Health & Human Services (depending on the target victim) in an effort to get them to plug in the USB drive.

The USB drives are “Bauds” or “Bad Beetle USB” devices with the Lily GO logo, and are commonly available for sale on the Internet. The drives register with the victim computer as a keyboard and include a wealth of hacker tools, including Metasploit, Cobalt Strike, Carbamic malware, the Griffon backdoor, and PowerShell scripts.

The goal of these drives is to infect networks with either BlackMatter or REvil ransomware.

This is a real-world form of targeted attack that uses the same social engineering we commonly see in phishing attacks. Users that undergo continual security awareness training are already aware they should not be plugging in unknown USB drives – especially those sent unsolicited.

These attacks could just as easily be turned into an access for sale attack, given the amount of control hackers have over the compromised endpoint. Be on guard.

Published by: KnowB4 CyberHeist News, 1/25/22

Axis Communications announces the winners of the Oceania Partner Awards 2021

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Axis Communications announced the winners of its Oceania Partner Awards 2021. These awards are dedicated to celebrating and rewarding Axis’ multiple partners across the Oceania region, for their outstanding contributions to improving security and optimizing business performance over the past year.

Axis’ partners continue to provide trusted network and audio solutions for their customers to achieve success, and maintain their position as a global market leader in security offerings. This year’s winners have proven to be leaders in innovation, selected based on their ongoing commitment to delivering superior product solutions.

“Through working collaboratively with our partners, we have been able to embrace cutting edge technology and advancements to drive results for our end customers. Our partners have been critical to developing solutions to navigate our customers’ new needs and challenges in this changing technology landscape,” says Wai King Wong, Axis Regional Director for Oceania.

“Axis recognizes the strength in collaboration with our partnership work acting as the driving force behind the company’s success during these uncertain times in the security industry.”

Awards this year were broken down by region, with top performing partners and distributors recognized. Awards were also given out for specific industry deployments, including retail, government and banking. The full list of award winners is as follows:

Top Partner Winners by Industry

  • Retail partner Australia: PMT Security
  • Retail partner New Zealand: RISC
  • Retail partner multi-site deployments Australia: JD Security
  • Retail partner multi-site deployments New Zealand: Focus Digital
  • Government partner Australia: Optic Security
  • Government partner New Zealand: Optic Security
  • Critical Infrastructure partner Australia: Royal Eagle Security Services
  • Smart Cities partner: Jettech Networks
  • Banking partner Australia: ARA Security
  • Banking partner New Zealand: Securitek
  • Transportation partner Australia: SICE

Top Partner Winners by Region

  • NSW and ACT partner: Securitas
  • QLD and NT partner: Chubb Security
  • VIC and TAS partner: Convergint
  • WA partner: SEME Solutions
  • New Zealand partner: Advanced Security Group
  • Oceania region partner: ARA Security

Special Award Winners

  • Axis Academy Award: Link Enterprise Solutions
  • E2E champion partner: JD Security
  • Audio champion partner Australia: Link Enterprise Solutions
  • Audio champion partner New Zealand: Advanced Security Group

Top Distributor Winners

  • Audio distributor Australia: Ingram Micro
  • Audio distributor New Zealand: Channel Ten
  • E2E distributor Australia: Anixter
  • E2E distributor New Zealand: Sektor
  • Top distributor Australia: Hills Limited
  • Top distributor New Zealand: Channel 10

Johnson Controls Acquires FogHorn, AI, IoT Software Developer

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Johnson Controls has completed the acquisition of FogHorn, a developer of Edge AI software for the industrial and commercial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

“Value is increasingly being created by applying intelligence at the edge-device level to create real-time, secure, actionable insights,” said Johnson Controls Chief Technology Officer Vijay Sankaran. “By pervasively integrating Foghorn’s world class Edge AI throughout our OpenBlue solution portfolio, we are accelerating the pace towards our vision of smart, autonomous buildings that continuously learn, adapt and automatically respond to the needs of the environment and people.”

As the number of sensors and amount of data in buildings continues to grow, the value of processing data and applying intelligence at the edge, without having to send data to the cloud, becomes increasingly pronounced.

Sastry Malladi, who served as chief technology officer at Foghorn, will join Johnson Controls, reporting to Sankaran as vice president, OpenBlue artificial intelligence.

“We are thrilled to bring the Foghorn team and edge AI capabilities to Johnson Controls and OpenBlue,” Malladi said. “By combining our respective strengths, Johnson Controls can make an even bigger impact on continuing to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges of decarbonization, sustainability and energy efficiency, indoor air quality and smart, secure buildings.”

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. FogHorn’s technical team will be integrated into the OpenBlue Solutions organization. FogHorn’s headquarters in Sunnyvale, California will function as an ‘AI Hub’ for Johnson Controls.

Download Data Breach Report from ITRC

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Since 2005, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) has tracked publicly reported data breaches in the United States. What began as a collection of basic information has grown into a database of more than 13,900 data compromises that include up to 90 data points per event.

Now in its 16th year, the ITRC’s Data Breach Report for 2021 looks at the number of data compromises, the types of data compromised, the root causes of data compromises, and much more. The 2021 Data Breach Report also previews a new free service for consumers that alerts them in the event companies they select issue a data breach notice. Please visit https://notified.idtheftcenter.org/s/resource#annualReportSection to download a copy of the report PDF. For questions about the report, contact notifiedbyitrc@idtheftcenter.org.

The ITRC uses information voluntarily collected from you to communicate effectively and efficiently with you and to provide best-in-class services. The ITRC does not sell or share any information about individual users. For more details, read our privacy policy.

Security Industry Grieves the Death of Per Mar Security’s Michael L. Duffy

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Michael “Mike” Duffy, 71, of Davenport, died peacefully and surrounded by family on January 21, 2022.  Despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, he died of pneumonia following COVID.

He joined Per Mar Security and Research Corp, the company founded by his parents, John and Eleanor (Duax) Duffy.  After success at an entry level job (cleaning dog kennels), Mike was promoted during high school and college to work as both a dispatcher and a scheduler.  These early work experiences influenced one of Mike’s core values: Treat people from all walks of life with equal respect.  Mike was an avid couponer and yet a generous tipper. Mike had a quick wit and an incredible (Irish) sense of humor that was known to many but most loved by his family.

In the early years, Mike held various positions at Per Mar including Dispatch Supervisor, Alarm Manager, Vice President of Operations, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, President and CEO. During his term of leadership, the company completed more than 80 acquisitions of life safety companies, eventually becoming the largest family-owned full-service security provider in the Midwest while also operating one of the largest fire alarm sales and service companies in the country, Midwest Alarm Services.  Mike was a licensed Private Detective in seven states and held the level of U.S. Government Secret Clearance, in addition to being involved in many boards and committees within the industry.  Mike also was a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, and the Top Gun Forum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Mike may be directed to the Scott County Catholic Schools Foundation or the Women’s Choice Center.

Ford and ADT to Form Joint Venture to Fortify Vehicle Security

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Ford (NYSE: F) and ADT Inc. (NYSE: ADT) will invest in a new joint venture called Canopy that combines ADT’s professional
security monitoring and Ford’s AI-driven video camera technology to help customers strengthen security of new and existing vehicles across automotive brands.

“The combination of our technologies and our deep security experience creates a new category
of protection for work and personal vehicles,” said Elliot Cohen, ADT chief business
development officer. “Vehicles represent the second-most-valuable asset for consumers, and
helping to protect them extends ADT’s safe, smart, and sustainable solutions far beyond the
home.”

Canopy plans to launch industry-first, multi-sensor security systems with available professional
monitoring early next year. The first products to be manufactured and sold will be available in
the U.S. and the U.K. for the industry’s highest-volume commercial and retail pickups and vans
– including the Ford F-150, F-150 Lightning, Transit vans and E-Transit – and will be easily
installable by customers to protect expensive work and recreational equipment.

“Thieves have been even more active during the pandemic and know business owners store
valuable equipment in vehicles, often hauling more than $50,000 of gear. Canopy is here for
those who’ve had enough of thefts that threaten their livelihoods,” said Franck Louis-Victor, vice
president, Ford New Business Platform. “Key to Ford’s software-led transformation are new
ideas such as Canopy and collaborating with other innovators such as ADT, which brings to
vehicle security their leadership protecting families, homes, and businesses.”

The FBI estimates [1] that stolen work equipment cost more than $7.4 billion in 2020 in the U.S.,
and theft of valuable work equipment is believed to be underestimated in stolen vehicle reports.
Small business owners face even greater opportunity costs with the deferral or loss of jobs while
replacing stolen items.

Canopy also plans to begin integrating camera security solutions in Ford vehicles next year for
seamless protection inside and outside vehicles. Canopy will seek factory-vehicle integrations
with other automakers over time.

  • Canopy’s first smart vehicle security system accessory offering will make use of acoustic
    sensors for vans, onboard cameras, radar, LTE, and GPS. The initial product will have a
    camera that can be mounted in either a van’s cargo area or on a pickup facing the bed. The
    platform will use AI technology to identify and report credible threats while reducing false alarm
    signals.
  • Customers will be connected to the system via the Canopy app to livestream video from
    the vehicle, get notified of suspicious activity, or review past events.
  • The system will trigger a smartphone alert of any indicators of potential criminal activity,
    such as breaking glass, metal cutting, or suspicious motion or sound near the vehicle.
  • Customers can warn potential thieves they are being monitored by speaking through the
    smartphone app, enabled by a two-way audio feature that will be available by next year.
  • The system’s AI is designed to distinguish true threats from benign acts – such as a cat
    jumping into a pickup bed or construction sounds near a vehicle – before alerting the
    owner or ADT monitoring agents of potential theft.
  • The system will alert ADT monitoring professionals if it detects a person loitering around
    or breaching the vehicle [2].

ADT monitoring agents can then contact customers, fleet managers, or police to take additional
measures to help prevent theft. Credible threats will trigger additional responses, including
audible alerts and programmable voice recordings and two-way audio in future updates.
The first-of-its-kind Canopy products will be sold through vehicle dealerships, major retailers,
and online. Ford Pro will be an important launch partner delivering these solutions to
commercial and government customers of all sizes, helping drive business forward and
accelerate productivity at a global scale.

“Commercial customers around the world are laser focused on protecting investments from
costly replacements that can impact their bottom lines,” said Ted Cannis, CEO, Ford Pro.
“Canopy will help Ford Pro deliver another service to fleets helping to improve total cost of
ownership by staying productive and avoiding downtime associated with stolen tools and
damaged vehicles – including the majority with mixed fleets since Canopy technology will be
available across brands.”

The Canopy team has been developing and testing its first technologies for two years as part of
Ford’s New Business Platform innovation incubation group. They will now be headquartered in
Detroit and London and led by Interim CEO Christian Moran.

Canopy also will seek relationships with other automotive, insurance, and technology
companies to expand offerings, explore insurance benefits for use of the technology, and cocreate new innovations.
Ford and ADT’s investment in Canopy is subject to certain conditions, including regulatory
approvals, and initial funding is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022. The partners
expect to invest approximately $100 million during the next three years.

For more information, visit www.canopy.security

Footnotes:

1 U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Report.
2 Requires subscription to ADT professional monitoring tier

Vector Security Announces New VP of Information Technology

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Vector Security® recently announced that Bryan P. Finney has joined the company as Vice President of Information Technology effective immediately. Finney also becomes a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Finney is responsible for the technological direction of the company. This includes strategic oversight and management of Vector Security’s network and software infrastructure, daily user support, and technology acquisition and application.

Additionally, he is tasked with ensuring effective and secure operation of all computer systems and IT-related activities, and establishing the company’s systems and software strategy, playing an integral role in Vector Security’s strategic direction, development and growth.

This position will report directly to Pam Petrow, President and CEO of Vector Security. Finney will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and the rest of the executive leadership team.

“Bryan is a team-oriented leader skilled in leading complex enterprise initiatives that drive results,” Petrow said. “We welcome Bryan and look forward to his contributions as we continue to evolve and grow the company from a technology perspective.”

National Capital Region Security Forum Becomes Part of SIA

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The Security Industry Association (SIA) and the National Capital Region Security Forum (NCRSF) have announced that NCRSF will become part of SIA in 2022. SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,100 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. NCRSF (formerly the Northern Virginia Security Forum) is a community of security professionals and those associated with the industry who connect monthly to network and share leads and ideas.

NCRSF’s mission is to address issues facing the security industry in the federal market space. Founded in 2007 to bring together people in federal government and the D.C. security community, the organization serves a diverse set of companies, from Fortune 100 firms to many small and medium-sized businesses, and more than 1,000 security and government professionals throughout the United States. NCRSF works to foster a more robust discussion between the security needs of the federal government and the industry solutions available to them. The group has been led by Dan Connole, founder and president; Wayne Esser, vice president; and Dhira Bluestone, director of marketing and communications.

“Since its inception, the NCRSF has been relied upon by hundreds of industry professionals as a unique platform for networking within the federal market and as a reliable source of information about government procurement opportunities,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “SIA is honored to assume management of the NCRSF with the same unwavering level of commitment to our industry that has been demonstrated by Dan, Wayne and Dhira while also increasing the value of the Forum in the years ahead through expanded programs.”

“SIA and NCRSF have a cooperative alliance to promote the security industry and work together to make the world safer. The organizations have partnered to co-host networking events in the Washington, D.C., area and held events for security industry and government professionals in conjunction with SIA GovSummit, the nation’s premier conference connecting government, security and technology. It is an obvious next step to merge the NCRSF into SIA where the organization can evolve to the next level,” said NCRSF President Dan Connole.

NCRSF serves as an advocacy group for the security industry in the D.C. area within the federal marketplace, promotes proactive communication between the security industry and the federal end user community, provides a forum for the industry to collaborate and more effectively execute business opportunities and works closely with SIA to support its initiatives in and around the federal marketplace.

NCRSF’s key programs include:

  • Monthly evening networking events for security industry professionals held in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area on the third Thursday of every month. These events are free to attend thanks to the support of industry sponsors.
  • A quarterly breakfast series in which NCRSF members and public-sector end users can discuss security needs and challenges.
  • An annual charity golf outing benefiting the Kennedy Krieger Institute Rehabilitation Center for Traumatic Brain Injuries.

The first NCRSF networking event of 2022 will be held on Thursday, Jan. 20, in northern Virginia. The 2022 charity golf outing is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Oct. 3. All security professionals in industry and government are invited to attend these events, which will follow NCRSF health and safety guidelines.