Open Security & Safety Alliance (the Alliance) is a non-profit, non-stock corporation that brings together like-minded organizations in order to create a framework outlining a common standardized platform for security and safety solutions that is accessible for everyone.
The Alliance is a non-profit, non-stock collaboration initiative that brings together like-minded organizations in order to create a framework outlining a common standardized platform for security and safety solutions. Early concepts include the specification of a single platform for security and safety solutions that delivers a solid basis for innovation by providing a reliable and strong security and safety framework on which market players can grow.
Through collaboration and specification of commonly-agreed standards and specifications, manufacturers of devices, software developers and integrators of these security and safety solutions can then focus on the aspects that really add value for their customers and open up new application possibilities, even beyond security and safety. The current planned framework provides standards and specifications for components including a common operating system, IoT infrastructure, collective approach for data security and privacy, and a drive for higher performance of solutions in the industry.
Today’s security and safety solutions are fragmented and lack a common collaborative approach, which is holding back innovation, seamless integration and a more standardized approach to fundamental challenges in the market including data security and the move to more data-centric solutions such as Software as a Service. It is believed the high number of proprietary systems makes the aggregation and practical use of data complex and challenging. Too much effort is spent focusing on solving the challenge of how to make these proprietary systems compatible which has a negative impact on investment in innovation, development of new applications and business models.The focus on creating and providing high-quality, high-performance components in our market needs to be complimented by a focus on services, standards and best practice which genuinely meets the needs of the end-user.
The Open Security & Safety Alliance is set-up to bring together like minded companies to create a framework outlining a common standardized platform for security and safety solutions that is accessible for everyone. The framework enables device manufacturers, software developers, integrators, specifiers, consultants and many more to focus on the changing needs of their users, and create value added innovations. While at the same time attracting new players to the industry who can bring with them experience of adjacent markets and skills which may be missing in our current industry.
Five founding companies (Bosch, Hanwha Techwin, Milestone Systems, Pelco and VIVOTEK) established the Alliance. It is a result of a year of discussions behind the scenes with over 50 companies active in video surveillance, access control, intrusion and building automation, ranging from manufacturers to suppliers to integrators to those that use current solutions. Based on positive feedback from these discussions, the Alliance was established with these five companies taking the lead.
The key beneficiaries are the customers and users of the improved security, safety, building automation and business intelligence solutions which result from the groundwork laid by the Alliance through its standards, specifications and best practices. Participants in the Alliance include:
• Device Manufacturers
• Software Developers
• Device component manufacturers including System on Chip (SoC) Manufacturers
• System integrators
• Installers and commissioners
• Service Providers
• Management software providers
• Consultants and specifiers
• Distributors
The Open Security & Safety Alliance consists of an executive board, 3 committees that drive technology, strategy and marketing direction and a President. The President or General Manager is responsible for the daily management of the Open Security & Safety Alliance and ensures the direction of the alliance is in line with its published purpose. During the initial growth phase of the alliance a group of Vice Presidents work with the President to represent the alliance in various markets around the world and to act as ambassadors for the initiative.
The output of the Open Security & Safety Alliance is multi pronged.
• The Alliance will not create products, instead they will produce and drive the adoption of new standards, specifications for products and solutions in the security and safety market and connected areas.
• The Alliance will provide guidance on interpretation of these standards and specifications. The aim is to promote more intelligent, useful solutions for users.
• Agreed best practice in the industry in areas including data security, personal privacy, standardization of product performance specifications, a proposal for improved performance and quality and improved interoperability to provide users with an improved and trusted level of quality.
• Over time the Alliance may introduce a program of certification of hardware and software solutions to ensure they meet the proposed agreed standards and specifications.
There are 3 committees responsible for delivering output with associated focus groups or work groups made up from its membership:
• Strategy Committee
• Technical Committee
• Marketing Committee
The Alliance expects to publish its first concepts for new standards and common frameworks within the next few months. These concepts will become more detailed and the Alliance will work with members and other interested parties to bring them to market. The purpose of this initiative has been shared with interested parties for approximately 12 months already and it is anticipated that a number of the soon-to-be-announced Alliance members will be keen to demonstrate their offerings in the market within this timescale.
