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

2020 Vision looking out for Berghaus

Following a successful technology ‘shoot out’ with two major national security companies specialist CCTV integrator 2020 Vision systems have secured the contract to upgrade and revamp CCTV surveillance at the HQ of leading outdoor clothing brand Berghaus.

To clinch the contract from two major companies 2020 Vision specified the use of network video cameras to supplement and replace some of the existing analogue system, which had served Berghaus well, but was dated and needed expanding to cover previously unprotected areas.

Following a camera shoot out against the analogue competition Berghaus had no qualms in awarding 2020 Vision the contract. The benefits and image quality was clear for all to see.

2020 Vision MD Peter Houlis “To secure such a prestigious brand client is testament to our abilities and commitment. It is all the more rewarding that they are an International business based in the North East.

2020 Vision was established in the North East in 1992 and specialises in security systems such as CCTV, remote site monitoring, access control and concierge services. It has provided security in a diverse range of environments such as museums, hospitals, casinos, universities, sports stadia, government offices and even a seabird island. The organisation has won a number of business and industry awards and is widely regarded as one of the leaders in its field in the UK.

2020 Vision stay on course with Durham University

Security systems integrator 2020 Vision Systems Limited enjoy a degree of success in winning the tender for the corrective and preventative maintenance of Durham University CCTV surveillance system.

2020 Vision’s MD Peter Houlis said “We are delighted to have retained a long term client in the face of strong competition; its testament to our customer service ethos that we have secured a further four year frame work agreement to provide the University with CCTV support services”.

Phil Coxhill of Durham University commented “the CCTV system plays a key role in our security strategy in making the University a safe and pleasant environment in which to work and study. It is essential that the system is performing to its optimum”.

Physical Security Information Management (PSIM

Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) is one of the current buzz phrases in the security industry, but what exactly is PSIM…. and what can it do for you?

To find out more about this fast growing subject follow the link and listen in on the recent Webinar hosted by Brian Sims Group Content Editor at UBM Live Security Portfolio.

https://vts.inxpo.com/Launch/XpoCastPreview.htmEventKey=52276&UserKey=4013351&UserType=0

The Webinar sponsored by Verint; titled PSIM: the fusion of security and business efficiency, is one of a series of interesting security related topics hosted by UBM.

Brian was joined by a panel of industry experts; Peter Weller of Verint, Brian Tuskan Microsoft Global Security, Nick Unsworth Arub Consulting and Peter Houlis MD of security integrator 2020 Vision Systems.