security technology market 5,2 million security cameras installed in Germany In 2016 more than 800 000 new video surveillance cameras have been installed in Germany, according to predictions by the market research company IHS market. This takest the total number of security cameras installed in the nation to 5,2 million by the end of the year. Englewood, Co (USA) This is equivalent to approximately one camera for every 16 people, across public and private installations. High concern amongst the German public and the government regarding citizens’ privacy may have contributed to why the quantity of installed cameras in Germany lagged behind the U.K., United States, China and other nations. Public consensus may be changing, as high profile events like the Cologne train station assaults and the Munich mall shootings increase arguments for a greater number of cameras. The German Government is responding. Face detection and recognition Prior to announcing a new civil defence plan last month, the Ger- man Interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere implied, in an interview with German paper “Bild,” that the country would be considering face-recognition technology at all train stations and airports, to help identify suspects from a central database. Face-recognition technology is already used in the Munich airport and other facilities, yet a larger-scale centralised system could be considered a landmark change in the use of surveillance technologies in Germany. Body-worn cameras In addition to changes to traditional fixed video surveillance systems, there is increased demand for body-worn cameras in Germany. So far this year trials have been announced for both federal and state police forces. In another layer of security for the trans- portation network, the Deutsche Bahn rail company announced body-worn camera deployments for some of its security guards – a move it hopes will reduce violent incidents. Privacy trade-offs Meanwhile some commercial video surveillance operators are considering the implications of Germany’s updated Federal Data Protection Act, to protect the privacy of employees in the workplace. Full compliance relating to video surveillance could require the identity and faces of employees to be digitally masked. Video analytics software can be used to achieve this aim, with only “persons of interest” selected to have their features unmasked. This type of technology harkens to a less-contentious balance between privacy and security. evolving systems In 2017 the number of network cameras installed is forecast to surpass analogue cameras for the first time in Germany. However, the camera is just one component of the video surveillance system, much of the investment required in Germany will need to be on the back-end, ensuring systems are connected and accessible to the relevant authorities. Incidents such as the Bonn station bombing in 2012, when no footage was recorded, highlight the need for investment – not only in cameras, but also in video management, storage and network infrastructure. If the German interior minister’s suggestion is to be achieved, widespread changes will be needed, to bring German video surveillance systems up to speed. Fermax Integrated Home Automation, Access Control and Door Entry System solution for SMART HOMES Fermax is present at INTERSEC 2017. Come to visit our stand at the No#1-H 12/2-A11 and discover all the cutting-edge technology in door entry systems, IP technologies, home automation and access control solutions www.fermax.com 12 • d etektor internati onal