According to the report "2021 State of Physical Access Control Report.",which was conducted by HID Global and the security association Asis International, many companies have set themselves the goal of making access management more intelligent by means of digital processes. Half of the companies surveyed are thinking of converting to mobile access solutions. The main reason: the use of a digital, cloud-based platform could also greatly simplify and improve access control, for example by enabling access information to be provided and withdrawn again remotely, according to the study's initial findings.

However, for many respondents, the biggest difficulty of new networking is implementation (46 percent) or managing multiple credentials in different systems (45 percent). The number of companies that could implement more is over 50 percent, according to the HID Global survey, as these are mostly used in convergence projects when closer integration of building management with security technology and IT becomes necessary.

Touchless functions as the next feature

61 percent of those responsible for physical access control systems report that they would cooperate more closely with IT managers to implement the best possible security standards. Fifty-two percent of respondents report that they will look to IT for new technologies for these purposes. Respondents said that touchless capabilities were the most important feature they hoped to see in new access systems. However, touchless access solutions are also tied to new requirements such as contact tracking and real-time location services (RTLS).

Trend towards more user-friendliness

According to the study, nearly 37 percent of survey participants said they know a large number of employees and visitors, but not their location. Another 32 percent do not know the number or real-time location of their employees and visitors on company property, according to the survey. Twenty-one percent of companies still rely on paper lists to log their visitors and building usage.

In general, he said, the industry is trending toward secure access control technologies that emphasize ease of use and efficient login management.

By 2020, at least 58 percent of companies are expected to have deployed at least one form of secure logon technology. "Mobile" is considered a leading thrust of advanced credentialing technologies that puts access control in the hands of employees, contractors and visitors, according to the study.

The entire trend report is now available as a PDF freely accessible.

On February 2, the annual siren test was carried out throughout Switzerland. According to a statement by the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), 99 percent of the alerting systems work perfectly. Since the sirens are tested every year and any deficiencies found are subsequently corrected, the functional reliability can be maintained at a very high level.

However, the cantons and municipalities are now required to repair and replace the defective equipment without delay.

Parallel to the triggering of the sirens, an information message was triggered on the Alertswiss website alert.swiss, as well as on the Alertswiss mobile app. With the Alertswiss services, the population in Switzerland could better prepare for disasters and emergencies. Behavioral instructions can be transmitted quickly and directly to the affected population by the responsible authorities.

In Switzerland, there are around 7200 sirens for the general alarm to protect the population. Of these, about 5000 sirens are stationary and about 2200 sirens are mobile.

Useful links:

• Alertswiss
• Siren test
• Alerting the population
• App Store Apple
• Google Play Store

Source: Federal Office for Civil Protection

On February 2, the annual siren test was carried out throughout Switzerland. According to a statement by the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), 99 percent of the alerting systems work perfectly. Since the sirens are tested every year and any deficiencies found are subsequently corrected, the functional reliability can be maintained at a very high level.

However, the cantons and municipalities are now required to repair and replace the defective equipment without delay.

Parallel to the triggering of the sirens, an information message was triggered on the Alertswiss website alert.swiss, as well as on the Alertswiss mobile app. With the Alertswiss services, the population in Switzerland could better prepare for disasters and emergencies. Behavioral instructions can be transmitted quickly and directly to the affected population by the responsible authorities.

In Switzerland, there are around 7200 sirens for the general alarm to protect the population. Of these, about 5000 sirens are stationary and about 2200 sirens are mobile.

Useful links:

• Alertswiss
• Siren test
• Alerting the population
• App Store Apple
• Google Play Store

Source: Federal Office for Civil Protection

The Federal Supreme Court has approved the use of software to record a suspect's keystrokes. The Zurich public prosecutor's office was able to use a so-called keylogger to obtain passwords of a suspect who was dealing drugs on the darknet.

In a ruling published on Wednesday, the Federal Supreme Court upheld an appeal by the Zurich chief public prosecutor's office. In the context of a criminal investigation against unknown perpetrators who traded in narcotics on the darknet, various secret surveillance measures were carried out by the Zurich public prosecutor's office. In order to gain more insight into the extent of drug trafficking, it became necessary to obtain the suspect's passwords. A compulsory measures court initially refused to allow the use of a so-called keylogger to record the offender's keystrokes.

The Federal Supreme Court has now upheld this appeal by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Canton of Zurich and approved the surveillance measure for a certain period of time. The requirements for the use of a technical surveillance device within the meaning of Article 280 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO) are met.

Source: Federal Court

After already recently a new quality manager was presented for the entire SVTI Group, there is another personnel development to report at the Swiss Safety Center: Since November 2021, Dr. Arnulf Hörtnagl is now the new Head of Materials Technology.

He is a mechanical engineer with further specializations in manufacturing technology and materials science. His scientific activities led to a doctorate and to specialization in the fields of corrosion, tribology and stainless steels. Thanks to his professional activity, in various internationally active laboratories, he expanded his know-how in the direction of plastics technology and acquired his skills in sales as well as in the management of R+D projects. In passing on specialist knowledge, he brings experience from his two years as a lecturer in materials science. His excellent networking in the Swiss "SME scene" ideally complements his profile, according to the Swiss Safety Center.

Further expansion of materials technology capabilities

In his new position, he is responsible for the testing laboratory, which has its core competence in the area of materials testing and damage analysis on primarily metallic materials. His goal is to expand the range of services to include testing and analysis of stainless steels and the area of plastics technology, as well as to deepen the electrochemical corrosion measurements. He sees the testing laboratory as a competence center and partner for individual examinations through to complex problems for SMEs of all sizes, from a wide range of industries, both nationally and internationally.

The Swiss Safety Center, part of the SVTI Group, also has recognized expertise in the fields of materials engineering and science, metallurgy, materialography, and corrosion as part of its damage prevention and fire protection responsibilities, and prepares damage analyses, expert reports, and expert opinions. To this end, the Swiss Safety Center carries out a wide range of non-destructive material tests, either stationary in its own testing laboratory or mobile on site.

Source: Swiss Safety Center 

After already recently a new quality manager was presented for the entire SVTI Group, there is another personnel development to report at the Swiss Safety Center: Since November 2021, Dr. Arnulf Hörtnagl is now the new Head of Materials Technology.

He is a mechanical engineer with further specializations in manufacturing technology and materials science. His scientific activities led to a doctorate and to specialization in the fields of corrosion, tribology and stainless steels. Thanks to his professional activity, in various internationally active laboratories, he expanded his know-how in the direction of plastics technology and acquired his skills in sales as well as in the management of R+D projects. In passing on specialist knowledge, he brings experience from his two years as a lecturer in materials science. His excellent networking in the Swiss "SME scene" ideally complements his profile, according to the Swiss Safety Center.

Further expansion of materials technology capabilities

In his new position, he is responsible for the testing laboratory, which has its core competence in the area of materials testing and damage analysis on primarily metallic materials. His goal is to expand the range of services to include testing and analysis of stainless steels and the area of plastics technology, as well as to deepen the electrochemical corrosion measurements. He sees the testing laboratory as a competence center and partner for individual examinations through to complex problems for SMEs of all sizes, from a wide range of industries, both nationally and internationally.

The Swiss Safety Center, part of the SVTI Group, also has recognized expertise in the fields of materials engineering and science, metallurgy, materialography, and corrosion as part of its damage prevention and fire protection responsibilities, and prepares damage analyses, expert reports, and expert opinions. To this end, the Swiss Safety Center carries out a wide range of non-destructive material tests, either stationary in its own testing laboratory or mobile on site.

Source: Swiss Safety Center 

Before a cable is laid on the route, a number of preparatory plans are required, which in practice are rarely implemented with the necessary care, but in some cases are not required by clients. Below are some hints and suggestions which can be implemented during the next construction measure:

1. At the beginning there is one (or more) technical system(s) to be wired. Here it is important that the planner or supplier develops the corresponding schematics as a planning concept. The required performance parameters, functional units and material parameters should be reflected in this.
2. If the functional units or technical systems are provided with the identification system used in the building, there is a clear basis for all the trades involved in the realization of interfaces right from the start.
3. The start and destination points should be integrated both in equipment location plans and later in the cable pull lists.
4. Now the most important work of a planner begins: The appropriate cable routes must be found and determined. Larger planning offices are now taking the path of 3D-supported route planning in order to identify collisions with other media (water or wastewater pipes, heating pipes, ventilation shafts, etc.) and also to meet the requirements, e.g. those of standard-compliant fireproofing, at an early stage. It is also possible to meet user requirements, e.g. for redundant cable routes.
5. For IT cabling, the planning task often consists exclusively of integrating appropriate route systems, usually as cable trays, into the planning, since the occupancy is either taken over by another company on behalf of the user or one would like to implement this by one's own operating personnel after completion. How large do the cable trays have to be? How many data cables have to be integrated? Are there requirements for curve radii? Can different cable systems be laid on one cable tray? Questions about questions that have to be clarified at an early stage and with everyone's participation.
6. As a result, the following parameters should be set:
   a. Voltage level
   b. Outer diameter of cable
   c. Bending radius
   d. Cable type designation
   e. Type (flexible or rigid)
   f. Special cables (e.g. fiber optics)
   g. Start and destination
   h. Labeling
   i. Own/external procurement or provided
   j. Type of fastening
   k. Necessary voltage level separation (according to VDE)
7. The longer the cable routes and the more expensive the cable prices, the more important it is to have a holistic, resource-saving cable route planning.
8. The calculation of the cable lengths is the basis for determining the cable quantities at an early stage. This can be done with cad support in databases (cable routing) or (for smaller projects) also with spreadsheet programs such as Excel. The results are then the familiar cable tension lists. From these, the corresponding occupancy lists must then be created for each individual cable rack. Optimally also database-based! Why? Each cable has its specific weight on a certain length and forms the basis for the design of the supports and the route size.
9. Once the platform size has been selected (usually with a 25 percent reserve), the brackets must be dimensioned. From experience, the editors of SicherheitsForum can report that, especially in the area of data centers, flatbeds already "sag" during acceptance without the occupancy of the user's own cabling. Why? Therefore, part of every planning should be the calculation of a maximum permissible cable load according to DIN VDE 0639 T1, taking into account the cables already specified and the manufacturer-specific cable weights (are given on every manufacturer's data sheet). On this basis, every user has the possibility to calculate his additional installations up to the maximum load as well. And the installer has the basis for selecting the necessary support system and its load. Siemens air hooks are the worst solution here!
10. Side effect of the calculations: An even load distribution can be aimed at!
11. It must also be weighed up whether one-sided route supports (especially for ceilings) are sufficient or whether a support on both sides is necessary. Especially when trailing cables, this means that the cable must be threaded through each bracket.
12. Today, cable hoists are realized by one company, especially for larger projects, irrespective of the use (heavy or light current cable). Therefore, it should also be considered to have the conception, planning up to the supervision of the implementation accompanied by specialized planning offices.
13. This also guarantees that the final documentation of the installer also reflects the final installed condition.

This technical report originally appeared in the printed edition SicherheitsForum 5-2021.

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Out of the home office, into the home office: The corona virus has been spreading again since the start of the cold season. According to the Ifo Institute, a large proportion of employees were already working from home at least part of the time in the second quarter of last year due to the pandemic. A good reason to give the home workplace an upgrade: with biologically effective lighting. "Light is not just for seeing, it also clocks the human body's internal clock," explains Dr. Jürgen Waldorf, managing director of the industry initiative licht.de. Lighting that mimics natural daylight changes brightness, light color and dynamics throughout the day. In this way, it supports the biorhythm and promotes vitality and well-being.

Some modern LED luminaires already have integrated programs that reflect this complex process. Well suited for the study, for example, are ceiling luminaires or professional floor luminaires that work according to the principle of Human Centric Lighting (HCL) - a lighting concept that focuses on people and their needs. "In the morning, bright, cool light awakens the spirits and promotes concentration," says Waldorf. High blue components in the light (at least 5300 Kelvin) ensure this. Towards evening, the light color then becomes more reddish, the lighting more subdued (e.g. 2700 Kelvin). This allows the body to prepare itself optimally for a good night's rest. Screens should then be operated in night mode. This promotes restful sleep.

Requirements for workplaces

The basic lighting in the study helps to avoid too strong contrasts between the workplace and the environment and is easy on the eyes. Additional and high-quality luminaires make sense in case of constant home work, because then also the legislator requires similar conditions as in the office.

For reading tasks, the standard requires an illuminance of at least 500 lux. To achieve this, an adjustable desk luminaire is used directly at the workstation. The expert's tip: "When writing, the light should come from the left for right-handers and from the right for left-handers, so that no shadows interfere. Position the luminaire so that there are no reflections on screens and shiny surfaces," advises Waldorf.

Tip for buying luminaires

In the immediate vicinity, the standard still sets 300 lux. Since very few people use a luxmeter at home, the rule of thumb for buying luminaires is about 1000 lumens for desk luminaires and about 600 lumens for the surrounding area. LED luminaires with HCL function have significantly more lumens. However, since standards only ever specify minimum values, more light is also the better choice in many cases.

Where to put old lamps?

When lamps reach the end of their service life or are replaced by energy-saving LEDs, they must be disposed of correctly for the sake of the environment: Energy-saving, fluorescent and discharge lamps are collected and recycled in the same way as LEDs. Incandescent and halogen lamps go into the residual waste garbage can.

EU roadmap for greater efficiency

In two years, the next round will begin: from September 1, 2023, linear T8 fluorescent lamps, high-voltage halogen lamps with G9 bases and low-voltage halogen lamps with G4 and GY6.35 sockets will no longer be placed on the market.

Source: licht.de

According to the Federal Roads Office (Astra), e-bike and bicycle riders are still affected by many traffic accidents. This is because e-bikes and bicycles are becoming increasingly popular. However, this also repeatedly leads to conflicts with other road users. More consideration and understanding of all road users as well as good bicycle equipment could contribute to more safety on the roads.

For this reason, the Federal Roads Office (Astra), together with various partner organizations, has launched a "Velo-Knigge" brochure. The information sheet provides tips on "good manners" for and towards cyclists:

• What belongs to a good equipment of the bike and the cyclists, so that they are safe on the road?
• How to behave correctly on common areas for pedestrian and bicycle traffic?
• How can inattention and distraction be prevented?
• What do car drivers and cyclists have to pay attention to when driving on traffic circles?
• How can car drivers safely overtake bicycles and e-bikes?
• What do I need to know to master an e-bike?
• What to look for when carrying children or goods on the bike or in a trailer?
• What are the rules for the coexistence of mountain bikers and hikers?
• What are the rules for e-scooters?

Important: From April 1, 2022 need all e-bikes with a speed up to 25 km/hand up to 45 km/h must also be on the road with lights during the day.

Source: Astra

According to the Attacks on various armored cars in 2018 and 2019, the Vaud cantonal government had adopted on December 11 an urgent decision on new conditions around cash-in-transit operations.

This will now be replaced since February 1, 2022 by a law on the security transport of goods and commodities, which the Grand Council of the canton on October 2021 adopted. The law was drafted in cooperation with the Association of Swiss Security Service Companies (VSSU) and the transport companies.

Armor and heavy vehicles required for very large amounts

In the case of very large sums of money, the transport must now be carried out by very heavy vehicles of over 3.5 tons, which are equipped with additional armor.

The special vehicles are equipped with an additional device to render banknotes unusable in case of robbery. A transport is accompanied by at least two employees, including a driver, and may only take place between 5 am and 10 pm. The maximum insured value per vehicle is twelve million Swiss francs.

The law in the canton of Vaud also provides for new special conditions for ATMs, cash registers in stores and businesses, and the transport of precious metals and valuables. The money must be stowed in at least ten cassettes equipped with an intelligent banknote neutralization system (IBNS). The maximum value that may be transported is one million Swiss francs per cassette.

Source: Canton of Vaud

Through a working group consisting of representatives of the cantonal enforcement bodies and Seco, a revision package on the legal application of working and rest time provisions was adopted and finalized in 2021. The revision concerns several articles of the working and rest time provisions of Ordinances 1 and 2 to the Labor Act (ArGV 1 and 2).

The focus is on simplifying the application of the provisions of the law and the distribution of competences between the Confederation and the cantons when issuing working time permits. The responsibilities as well as the requirements for the authorization of night and Sunday work are also adapted and harmonized between the cantons in order to simplify the control of the cantons. For example, special provisions for bakeries and butcher stores that are exempt from night and Sunday work will be redefined. For example, Articles 51a and 51b ArGV 2 are introduced, according to which certain maintenance and winter service work may be carried out at night and on Sundays without a permit.

The ordinance amendment will take effect on April 1, 2022.

Source: Federal Council

At a meeting on February 2, the Federal Council adopted a catalog of measures on arms control and disarmament. As far as nuclear arsenals are concerned, Switzerland is committed to complete disarmament. However, the road to this goal is still long. In concrete terms, the focus is on a package of measures submitted to the UN together with 25 other states.

Avoidance of arms trafficking, autonomous weapons systems and chemical weapons

For example, the use of dangerous chemicals that affect the central nervous system remains prohibited in national law enforcement. Here, Switzerland has been strongly involved with its own services in a laboratory in Spiez, whereupon a large majority in The Hague agreed to a decision by Australia, the USA to ban the use of such weapons in their countries. As the Federal Council writes, Switzerland wants to contribute to a reduction of armed violence.

The arms trade should also remain responsible. According to the Federal Council, autonomous weapons systems harbor not only opportunities for security but also risks for humanity and could destabilize core values and norms. Here, Switzerland wants to advocate an agreement to ensure human control so that weapons that do not conform to the law are prevented.

In cyberspace and outer space, the Federal Council wants to take a stronger position and question "entrenched processes" in order to participate in important discussions that regulate norms in the use of new technologies in conflicts, such as autonomous or lethal weapons systems.

Source: Federal Council