Physical security has March Madness. And you might get it too, if you manage Cisco UCS and run video surveillance applications. Or if you attended ISC West this week in Vegas, where virtualization was all the buzz.

Our hot news is the virtualization of video surveillance on Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS). This has potentially profound implications on two big operational costs: data center management and safety and security operations.

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Tags: #iscwest, clmel, data center, enterprise video, ip video surveillance, medianet, physical security, safety and security, UCS, virtualiation

Up until recently I was an owner of a hybrid car from one of the leading car manufacturers. The mechanical side of the car was good but I always had some serious doubts about the car’s cockpit. In particular, the touch screen mounted squarely in the middle of the dashboard, presumably to be equally accessible to the driver and the front passenger.

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Tags: safety, safety and security, security

This weekend, I’m heading to Chicago for the 118th International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference and exhibition. Police Chiefs from around the globe will come together to foster the exchange of information and experience among police leaders throughout the world and find solutions to issues they are facing. 

I’m looking forward to seeing the Chiefs and recognizing this years winners and finalists for the IACP Community Policing Awards sponsored by Cisco.  I’m honored to be a part of this initiative and want to congratulate this years winners and finalists.   

If you are not able to attend in person, please join our Community Policing Committee and Cisco IACP Workshop: Policing in the New Normal via WebEx Monday October 24, 1-3pm Central Time or anytime afterwards.  This dynamic information sharing workshop will feature an esteemed panel of law enforcement executives including: 

• Robert Casey: Special Agent in Charge, Dallas Field Office, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Steve Dye: Chief of Police, Grand Prairie Police Department, Texas, United States
• Todd Miller: Director of Public Safety, Mankato Department of Public Safety, Minnesota, United States
• David Williams: Colonel (retired), Illinois State Police, North Carolina, United States
• Bob Stanberry:Public Safety Technology Solutions, Cisco, Michigan, United States

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Tags: Community Policing, Public Safety, safety and security

Last week I had the opportunity to host two groups of visitors:  a group of community policing leaders from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and a delegation of foreign exchange students from Iwata, Japan.  I enjoyed meeting all the guests and the conversations we had about the many changes and challenges in our communities.

We discussed the impact of increased diversity and convergence of cultural values, critical budget issues facing government agencies, and the continuing need for citizen services for community safety and emergency response.  We brainstormed ideas for how technology can help.

Despite the severe economic and environmental challenges, both groups were optimistic about our future and the potential for technology to play a positive role.

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Tags: cloud, collaboration, communities, cost, crisis, culture, efficiency, government challenges, human connections, Japan, Public Safety, safety and security, savings, spending