The IoT evolution: Paul Pope discusses the benefits of IoT integration and the risks of cyber threats in connected systems

by Breaking NewsIFSJ Influencers

By Paul Pope, EngTech AIFireE LCGI, Global Head of Fire and Life Safety Business at Ajax Systems

Current fire industry trends are moving faster towards remote connectivity despite cyber security and resilience concerns.

The use of remote monitoring technology in residential and non-residential fire protection systems is now enjoying a revolution, and this part of the fire sector will inevitably grow further in 2025 and beyond.

Due to ongoing technological advancements, the impact of IoT is reshaping the industry landscapes and enhancing operational efficiency as companies focus on integrating innovation into the competitive landscape.

The trail of digital connectivity and interconnectivity will significantly improve property and life safety systems going forward.

Accessibility to products and systems will be radically improved.

Smart integration with other systems will provide real-time intelligence, which can increase the speed of information, control, and response to evolving emergencies.

This information exchange and instant access will also create further industry challenges for privacy and security.

Inevitably, there are always concerns about onboarding a new process, and reservations about the technology are now changing.

There is comprehensive guidance from the Fire Industry Association on the remote access and control of fire detection and alarm systems, and within EN 50710:2021, which lays out the requirements of secure remote services for fire safety and security systems.

These important documents represent a step forward for manufacturers, installers, maintenance companies, and end-users of remote services.

Clarity has now been provided regarding what can and cannot be achieved with this technology.

Accessibility to fire detection products and alarm systems will be significantly enhanced.

Smart integration with other related systems will provide real-time intelligence, which can radically increase the speed of information, control, and response to evolving emergencies.

The importance of data protection, ensuring client confidentiality, and protecting sensitive information, alongside the latest cybersecurity, will eliminate all potential and real risks to future systems through connectivity and interconnectivity.

With this in mind, it is advisable to have an agreement in place with the end-user to establish what can, and cannot be accessed remotely.

Remote connectivity also has risks that should be managed professionally.

For example, you could accidentally isolate devices, or there could be risks of a cyber-attack on the system if there are no secure procedures for accessing remotely.

Those using this technology should familiarise themselves with the standards and gain the highest level of regulatory competence.

Finally, it is important that when using remote access, your system remains as secure as if the engineer was actually present on site, and remote servicing should never be used to replace on-site inspections, as required by regulations.

About the IFSJ Influencer

Paul Pope is the Global Head of Fire and Life Safety Business for Ajax Systems, and a board director of the Fire Industry Association (FIA).

With 35 years of experience, he is recognised as a passionate advocate for improving industry standards and technological innovation.

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This article was originally published in the December 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal – to read your FREE digital copy, click here.

DHS promotes smart city IoT solutions for first responders

by Projects

The Internet of Things (IoT) is expanding the variety of technical capabilities deployed in the interest of public safety, and smart cities are leveraging IoT data to provide insights and improve operations. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is promoting technology development through its Science and Technology Directorate’s SCITI (pronounced “city”) solutions lab. SCITI stands for Smart City and Internet of Things Innovation.

SCITI innovations promote public safety in urban environments to expand capabilities of first responders, including law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, and the associated commercial sector.

The initiative focuses on integrating new and existing technologies to serve public safety needs, with emphasis on validation and go-to-market support through industry partners. A streamlined process is aimed at getting new capabilities commercialized and available to users.

Supporting First Responders

The program seeks to provide new capabilities to support first responders and the associated commercial sector in three areas. They are:

Autonomous navigation for indoor Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to support search and rescue missions in difficult environments.

Intelligent building sensors to be mounted on fixed indoor building features, such as smoke detectors or exit signs. Sensors provide a mechanism to rapidly prioritize areas for search and rescue.

A body-worn interoperable platform (“SmartHub”) that integrates personal network communications with third-party sensors to improve situational awareness.

Collaborations For Development

DHS Science and Technology is leveraging a “commercial first” approach by working with technology innovation companies, government public safety officials, infrastructure owners and private sector investment partners to promote the design, development and operational testing and evaluation of suitability for commercial adoption. The program has been instrumental in developing and commercializing a number of products.

Improving communication is one area of development. For example, Zello, Austin, Texas, provides a push-to-talk smartphone app that is a low-cost, reliable and secure alternative to traditional radios. Wireless System Solutions, Morrisville, North Carolina, has developed end-to-end multi-standard/band wireless network solutions that provide connectivity from the macro cellular network to the end-point gateway and/or sensor.

Emergency Situational Awareness

To provide situational awareness in an emergency, Known Quantity Sensors Inc., Atlanta, offers an IoT edge sensor platform that uses AI-backed, image-based processing to quantify and locate human occupancy.

CommandWear Systems, Vancouver, British Columbia, provides a simple, secure, mobile situational awareness platform that runs on existing smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops and desktop PC. The system enables users to prepare for events and incidents in advance, know where personnel and assets are, communicate with them securely, and then review and analyze a mission after the fact.

Other solutions promote teamwork and collaboration. Mutualink, Wallingford, Connecticut, connect voice, video and information sources so any agency can talk to and share information with partners on-demand, providing instant emergency collaboration, situational awareness and coordination. Coolfire Solutions, St. Louis, Missouri, provides collaboration software that synchronizes data, content and communications to enable people to work together more effectively.

Artificial Intelligence

Providing automation to operate in an emergency, Airgility, College Park, Maryland, provides multi-mission unmanned aerial vehicles that can conduct search and rescue operations or protect the nation’s borders, including onboard artificial intelligence.

Thirteen companies in all were selected in the first phase of the program, and additional companies were added in Phase II. The SCITI solutions lab was created in collaboration with Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology, TechNexus in Chicago, and Smart City Works venture labs in Washington, D.C.

www.dhs.gov/