Marketforce and Vodafone are holding a free Security Industry Webinar - a Wireless Future on 12th December at 12pm GMT which will bring together security companies, technology, property and risk management experts to discuss how changes in technology can change customer expectations - security need no longer be a grudge purchase. 

• Learn about the role that smartphones, M2M and asset tracking technology can play
• Investigate how security can become a more affordable proposition and the role that active devices can play in reducing risks
• Debate the challenges of meeting local data protection regulation
• Explore the future of security: intelligent buildings, connected systems and multipurpose devices

 Speakers include: 

• Peter Houlis, Managing Director, 2020 Vision Technology
• Simon Banks, Commercial Director, CSL DualCom
• Peter Manolescue, M2M Innovation Manager, Vodafone
• Alan Blake, Marketing and Sales Director, SECOM UK

Register for the webinar

2020 Vision’s growing reputation with Axis Communications

The annual Axis VIP Partner Event was held this year in Dublin on 24th and 25th of October.

Global leader in the network video market, Axis Communications event celebrates the achievements of the top 1% of the highest performing and most innovative partners from across Northern Europe, with exclusive awards presented to partners for their outstanding achievements and contributions during 2012.

For the third year running 2020 Vision were invited to the prestigious event and delighted to win the Strongest Growth Award –

Phil Doyle Axis Northern Europe Director said “Having shown phenomenal growth this year, 2020 Vision continues to lead the way with IP solutions in the UK. The company’s many successful projects include the NHS Trust in the north of England which included over seventy five HD cameras, twenty five of which were AXIS 1080P PTZ domes”

2020 Vision’s Peter Houlis said “to be in the top fifty not just in the UK but from over four and a half thousand partners across Northern Europe shows our commitment and highlights our experience in the field of network video”

The Security Institute welcomes Peter Houlis

2020 Vision are delighted to announce that Managing Director Peter Houlis MSyl has been accepted as a member of the Security Institute following rigorous evaluation by the Institute’s Validation Board.

The Security Institute based in the UK, is dedicated to raising standards in the security industry; recognizing an individuals skills and experience and promoting education of security practitioners, but also educating buyers and suppliers of security goods and services, and ultimately the general public.

The Security Institute aims are to provide objective standards for, and an independent assessment of, the professional competence and experience of those practising the art and science of security both nationally and internationally, and to raise awareness of professional security practices for the benefit of the public and industry.

2020 Vision’s Peter Houlis said “I have been in the security industry for 38 years the past twenty years as MD of 2020 Vision I feel it is about time to get some acknowledgment (served my apprenticeship) The Security Institute’s pursuance of Royal Charter recognition for security professionals matches my ambitions and I wish them every success in their objectives.”

10th annual Transport Security Expo

The tenth annual Transport Security Expo is taking place on 14-15 November at London Olympia.

Designed to deliver clarity to the complex task of protecting Passengers, Cargo and High Risk Assets from those intent on doing harm, Transport Security Expo is the leading event for global Heads of Aviation, Maritime, Counter Piracy, Public Transport and Supply Chain Security. With a ten year pedigree it is the world’s most established event in this arena.

Transport Security Expo brings together the world's leading experts from government, military, law enforcement and security services face to face with the aviation, maritime and public transport industries, to assess the threat level, examine the countermeasures in place and, where necessary, recommend alternate strategies to deal with these threats.

For more information about this prestigious event visit www.transec.com  

University benefits from investment in 2020 Vision

Birmingham University accommodation services recently re-tendered for Student Personal Possessions insurance for their accommodation sites, to their delight premiums have reduced by around 25% on what they had been paying over the last 4 years.

Jane Colbourne - Hospitality & Accommodation Services said “this is great positive news, which is mainly down to a marked decrease in claims due to improved security measures such as CCTV”.

All ship shape at 2020 Vision

Specialist CCTV integrator 2020 Vision Systems have added ships to their list of specialist CCTV applications, having recently been awarded a contract to deploy on board CCTV.

The ‘classified project’ called for CCTV to be employed as part of the ship defences 2020 Vision was commissioned to implement the CCTV; installing Bosch Metal Mici ‘day night’ cameras with powerful zoom facility and thermal image cameras on board during the vessels fit out.

The ship recently completed successful sea trails.

2020 Vision qualify for another final at the 2012 IFSEC Awards

2020 Vision is pleased to announce being nominated as finalists in the 2012 IFSEC Awards, with Coquet Island Puffin Cam.

2020 Vision have been selected as finalists in the Security Project or Security Installation category for their work with the RSPB in making the Coquet Island Bird Sanctuary off the North East coast not only more secure but also making the islands bird life more accessible.

Paul Morrison the islands warden said “RSPB staff are delighted they have been given this opportunity to monitor the wildlife in such detail, as well as ensuring maximum protection from egg thieves”.

Excitingly the system has been used to capture footage of a Puffin in an underground burrow feeding her young

This is the first time a puffin from the RSPB’s Coquet Island nature reserve, and within the region, has been caught on camera feeding.

Peter Houlis Managing Director said “The IFSEC Awards have been likened to the industry equivalent of the Oscars. It is extremely rewarding to be short listed finalists yet again. It is true testament to our innovative solutions and our attention to customer service.

2020 Vision is not new to awards having been finalists in the 2005 Security Excellence Awards. Winning best service company and overall winner in the North Tyneside SME Awards 2009 and IFSEC Award in 2006 for ‘Best Integrated System’ and outright winners in the 2009 Security Excellence Awards.

Business Continuity Awareness Week 2012 BCAW

Monday 19th of March sees the start of Business Continuity Awareness week. This global educational event is designed to help people understand more about business continuity management, its applications and benefits. Business continuity and resilience is becoming ever more important in today’s competitive global market. At 2020 Vision we know the importance of a well designed and implemented business continuity plan as we are fully aware of what we do is of crucial importance. Our commitment, professionalism and experience have to be second to none.

Don’t gamble with your business, ensure your organisation has a well developed and tested fall back plan in the event of a major incident or mission critical failure.

2020 Vision secures Trusts trust

Premier security integrator 2020 Vision Systems has won the trust of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust; securing a contract to maintain their estate wide CCTV surveillance systems.

The Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust are one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in England, as a result CCTV plays a major role in the security and safety of patients, staff and visitors. With a budget exceeding £300 million, employing more than 6,500 staff and serving a population of approximately 1.4 million, from over 160 sites across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Durham the Trust provides urgent care services, planned care and specialist health care services across an area totaling 2,200 square miles.

2020 Vision’s Peter Houlis MD said “it’s extremely gratifying to secure another major Health Trust contract; it is a sector we have considerable experience in. We are looking forward to working with the Trust and developing a mutually beneficial relationship”.

Shipshape security on board HMS Calliope

Security on board HMS Calliope is shipshape following a major upgrade of the CCTV surveillance systems by leading CCTV system integrator 2020 Vision.

HMS Calliope enjoys a prime location on the river Tyne nestled between The Sage and Baltic, next to the Millennium Bridge. It is the principal Royal Naval Reserve training unit for the North East of England and home base for some 100 naval reservists. Until 1968 HMS Calliope was a sea going vessel. She then came ashore and became a base, earning the nickname of a "stone frigate". Although HMS Calliope no longer sails and is shore based she is still technically classed as a ship and is a self-contained unit with a commanding officer.

Nearly 400 people currently use the base, ranging from naval reservists, naval units, university students and students from all three forces studying technology undergraduate schemes. Given the role of HMS Calliope security is a prime factor. With major building works currently being undertaken on the Jetty, including the formation of a new entrance gate, additional surveillance cameras have been deployed and a major overhaul of the existing CCTV system arrangements undertaken by 2020 Vision.

2020 Vision Systems Spot the Fraud

FRAUD WARNING - don’t get caught out.

Our accounts department recently received a telephone call and email requesting we submit details of all outstanding invoices appertaining to one of our clients. The person on the phone was very composed and sounded genuine. Equally the supporting email had been well designed to convey it was from a reputable large organisation. Fortunately our policies and procedures held fast and a vigilant member of our accounts team noticed the email address was not consistent with the organisations normal email format and informed the respective client’s accounts department.

The same client also received an email asking them to change our bank details to a new account, clearly an account set up by the fraudster. The email was accompanied with a very authentic looking made up 2020 Vision letter confirming the request. A telephone number and name were also included, which the client contacted. Again it was answered by a very convincing person appertaining to be someone they clearly were not. Thankfully, the client contacted us, so no actual fraud took place.

The incident is being investigated by the Police and has been forwarded to Trading Standards who advise:

This is a type fraud that we are aware of and action is being taken, please follow the advice below to minimise the risk to yourselves.

• Verify ALL changes of bank details requests via known contact details on your system or by contacting the main switchboard of the company following an internet search

• DO NOT use contact details on any letter received to alter bank account details

• Ensure that any new staff are made aware of the control process as we have heard of losses purely down to new starters in finance teams making errors

• Finance teams should be particularly aware of any requests to alter bank details which are received from their large creditors – we suggest an ‘at risk list’.

• Do not give out details over the phone unless you have verified the legitimacy of the caller.

Should you become the target of this type of Fraud log your complaint with Actionfraud

2020 Vision keeping you in the picture; you have been warned.

Newcastle University Business School: “Social media and Rioting: Organising and Responding”

Peter Houlis, Managing Director of security integrators 2020 Vision Systems is to present at the Newcastle University Business School’s popular ‘Digital Debate’ series, which kicks off 2012 with an event titled “Social media and Rioting: Organising and Responding” ; looking at the effects of social media in public disorder and political activism.

Introduced by Dr Savvas Papagiannidis, Senior Lecturer / DPD MSc E-Business and Information Systems, Newcastle University Business School, Peter’s presentation looks at how SME’s can prevent and minimise disruption to their business with co speaker Morgan Stephenson, General Manager, ht media, talking about the effect social media and video had on the riots.

The debate being held at Newcastle University Business School, 5 Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4SE at 8.30 on Thursday 16th of February will be Chaired by Ian Gibbons, Managing Director of Mobious

To participate in this free event please register in advance Digital Debate Registration.

For further information visit

www.ncl.ac.uk/nubs/about/events/item/digital-debate

North Shields firm wins Empire contract

2020 Vision, a North Tyneside based specialist security organisation, has won a lucrative contract to install an expansive CCTV system of 20 cameras to the North East’s flagship theatre.
The iconic Sunderland Empire has made the bold decision to invest in an overhaul of its existing security system in a joint partnership with Sunderland City Council.

Peter Houlis, managing director of 2020 Vision, explained: “The theatre’s previous system was out-of-date and simply not serving its purpose. The decision to invest in a new system means the historic building and some of its most valuable features will remain protected for many more years to come.

“Technology has moved on tremendously and this provides the theatre with state-of-the-art monitoring systems.”

The new CCTV system includes 20 new cameras, including 18 internal and two external cameras and is substantially bigger than the previous network.

Chris Francis, maintenance manager at the Sunderland Empire, commented: “We require a professional system that keeps our visitors, staff and building safe. That has been our priority and has included the need for cameras to all public entrances and areas and the stage door. We’re thrilled with the solution 2020 Vision has provided us.”

In the current climate, Peter Houlis believes that the contract win is positive news for region.

Peter concluded: “The previous system was installed by a national security firm based in the south. But we have the skills and expertise within the North East giving us the ability to retain investment in the area. This contract win proves that businesses can look on their own doorstep before looking beyond.”

Physical Security Information Management: an integrator's view

Following on from last December’s PSIM webinar organised by UBM’s Security Portfolio and Verint, Peter Houlis turns an integrator’s eye towards the subject... and what does PSIM mean for the client?

For those of you who missed December’s webinar entitled ‘PSIM: the fusion of security and business efficiency’ (hosted by UBM’s Security Portfolio and which you can view retrospectively), my input centred on exploring PSIM from the system integrator’s perspective.

Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) is a phrase often used within the security sector these days, but what is it really all about? Follow the link

http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=9&storycode=4128543&c=1