SIA New Products + Solutions Award Categories

Products defined in the Access Control Software, Hardware, Devices & Peripherals category that operate or transmit data via wireless protocols (e.g. RF, Bluetooth, Low- Energy Bluetooth, Microwave, WiFi, NFC, laser).

Hardware and / or software used in the verification of identity for the purposes of access authentication or denial through the analysis of a person’s face, iris, retinal, finger, hand, vein, or other anatomical / physiological features.  May be a stand-alone, networked, or hosted / cloud-based solution and work in conjunction with other measures for multi-factor authentication, e.g. physical credentials, codes, or analytical feature-sets such as behavioral traits.

Wired or wireless communication/signal transmission / networking solutions using any medium that provide more efficient, translation / conversion, cost effective, faster, reliable, distance and/or enhanced security in support of security systems / operations. This includes but is not limited to monitoring, command and control, detection, supervision, signal conversion, and/or technology enhancements.  Qualifying products might also leverage existing communications models like OSDP.

Innovative solutions that enable integration between security systems, BMS / BAS, fire / life-safety, and / or IT environments, as well as products that support the features and benefits of multiple technologies operating together to appear as a single solution or data stream for the user. This includes but is not limited to the integration of a physical security system(s) with logical systems.  Solutions will ultimately produce actionable intelligence or other information not available through one system or another, or effectively create automated efficiencies that cannot be realized by one of the systems alone.

Products and / or services that support the design, installation, testing, diagnostics/troubleshooting, or operation of a security products or systems.  This includes software programs, mobile system utilities, pre-application verification tools, wire/cable testers, installation tools, connectors, electrical performance/analysis, RF signal strength and analysis, and any other appurtenance to assist in the design, installation, diagnostics or maintenance of security systems and related support hardware.

Products in this category are designed to facilitate notification of security, life safety, and critical customer messaging. Solutions may utilize various digital messaging technologies (such as email/text alerts, PC based messaging components), live or recorded voice communications, and various forms of message presentation/annunciation.  Communications may be targeted to select groups of recipients based on static/dynamic parameters or to the general public.  Products may include hardware, software, devices or services.

Systems, sub-systems or devices used in the detection of chemical, biological, and/or radiological elements/materials considered to represent possible life-safety hazards. This includes actuating devices, control devices, detectors, processing equipment or warning systems.

Products and / or services for monitoring, management, storage, and intelligent control of security/life safety applications that eliminate the need for traditional on-premises client/server computing resources.  These products may also enable an external provider to manage some or all of the required systems administration and maintenance tasks for a security operation. Solutions may be network-based systems or "Cloud" services that provide various physical security system functions, security-related IT functions (e.g. archiving, data storage, raw computing capabilities) or comprehensive integrated security/facility management functions (programming, diagnostics, or repair support) through the use of virtualized and/or dynamically allocated resources ; public or private.

Technologies used to detect and/or prevent unauthorized entry into a secure area; indoors or outdoors. This includes electronic systems and devices that support or interface with primary monitoring or command and control systems, as well as annunciators, arm / disarm stations, bells and sirens, and control communications.  Products or software solutions engineered to reduce the occurrence of false alarms.  Excludes wireless systems.

Hardware and / or software specifically designed to manage keys or other assets through secure storage, assignment and use tracking, and reporting.  Products may include secure storage containers (safes, cabinets, racks) or software programs.

Mechanical devices, electro-mechanical locks, door hardware products or other security hardware, including mechanical computer locks, keyless locks, computer-activated key locking, and other hardware used for the security and safety of persons, materials or property.

These products enable an organization or entity to leverage external provider resources to manage some or all of the required systems administration, outsource operations, and maintenance tasks for a security operation. Such services could include but may not be limited comprehensive integrated security/facility management functions (programming, diagnostics, or repair support) through the use of virtualized and/or dynamically allocated resources; public or private. Examples might include third-party SOC operations or Help Desk services.

Applications running on a variety of mobile platforms (e.g. Android, IOS, Windows) that provide various monitoring, productivity, or management functions for access control, video, identity management, location services, or intrusion security systems or sub-systems.  These applications will reside on the mobile device and shall not be dependent on wireless connectivity to a host solution but may use feature-sets of the device such as GPS to facilitate their operation.  Excludes host-software connected applications.

Actionable systems, hardware, applications, or services leveraging analytics, machine learning, and/or artificial intelligence solutions to deter, detect, and respond to physical and/or logical threats, including insider threats.

Video products engineered to autonomously gather, access, and analyze video data in relation to a pre-determined set of criteria to identify and evaluate authorized and / or unauthorized activity or behavior through simple algorithmic rule-sets or artificially intelligent means.  Products may be software or hardware-based, may be integrated into other products such as cameras and may be used in real-time or forensic applications. 

Cameras of any resolution that provide high-definition video images for live or recorded use via network (e.g., Ethernet, IP) or direct cabling methods (e.g. coaxial, NTP).  Products may include single or multi-sensor units.

Video accessories such as monitors, lenses, positioning devices, mounts, enclosures or consoles that introduce a new level of innovation or user benefits (e.g. ease of installation, maintenance, reduced cost(s), enhanced ergonomics, or others)