Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/31502
26 MONITORING www.securitysystemsnews.com MAY 2011 SECURITY SYSTEMS NEWS Mobile security moves to the forefront? By Daniel Gelinas LOS ANGELES—The idea of mobile security has been around for a while, but according to some security industry observers, the proliferation of smartphone use and technology may signal the real advent of the mobile security market. ESX chair George De Marco said he’s been looking at a number of companies lately to determine where the developing space stands in terms of standards and protocols. “When I talk to centrals about this, they’re telling me companies have already approached them,” De Marco said. “I think the security industry needs to ask itself how can they add to the bundled services they’re offering. This kind of thing will help them to move beyond that traditional perimeter that they protect now.” Soteria Systems last year released a mobile panic button solution called Forsse, monitored by AvantGuard and in 2009, Wind Trac, a provider of real-time GPS-based tracking and monitoring systems for asset track- ing, went so far as to say traditional security companies were ‘missing the boat’ by not protecting individu- als rather than addresses. At this year’s ISC West, a new company, MobileTREC, a provider of next generation 911 (NG911) technol- ogy, told attendees about its mobile phone-based SafeKidZone and SafeTREC solutions, which central stations can offer to dealers for white labeling. “MobileTREC ... at the press of a button, simul- taneously alerts and mobilizes a select group of friends and family when a subscriber is in trouble,” said MobileTREC chief visionary officer Henry Siegel, who represented MobileTREC at ISC West. The conference bridge between the end user and his or her security network is facilitated by a central station operator, who assesses the situation and if necessary “sends an alert directly to the nearest emer- gency services dispatcher in seconds, with complete subscriber informa- tion, photos, precise GPS location, etcetera.” Anaheim, Calif.-based Mace CS is currently vetting the MobileTREC solutions. “When you bring the central station online, the operator knows immediately who you are, where you are, what you look like, what you drive, who your family contacts are,” said Mace CS VP and GM Morgan Hertel. “And that operator knows what agency is appropri- ate to your location to get you the quickest help.” Why would end users pay for this kind of monitored solution when they could just call 911 directly? “For two decades mobile phone users would call 911 only to [have them] request the caller’s location, then attempt to patch the caller into the proper police department,” Siegel said. “Obviously, this has been a highly fallible system.” wherever it goes. makes you money WIRELESS. PORTABLE. INSTANT. Come visit our booth (914) at the Electronic Security Expo show in Charlotte, June 8 & 9. Schedule a private demo: showinfo@tattletale.com or call 614.540.7233 888.TELL.ON.U • tattletale.com MADE IN AMERICA • PATENTS: 5777551 & 6441731 The MobileTREC solutions work with both smartphones and tradi- tional mobile phones and address a 2010 call to action from the FCC. After the Virginia Tech shootings— during which students allegedly attempted unsuccessfully to send text messages to 911—the FCC called for companies to begin devel- oping and implementing NG911 technologies, which would incor- porate text messaging, video and other multimedia. MobileTrec CEO Don Ferguson said the company is positioned to help bring mobile security to the mainstream. “There were no standards at all for delivering a true mobile solu- tion for personal safety to 911,” Ferguson said. “So we’re working with public safety organizations on pioneering these standards to govern mobile delivery of data to the PSAP for NG911.” De Marco said the new space merits attention. “The concerns going forward are going to be reliability, ability to monetize the service,” De Marco said. “And how easily the new tech- nology can be integrated into the automation platform at the central station.” SSN