Glossary for getting started with Security Center - Security Center 5.11

Security Desk Getting Started Guide 5.11

Applies to
Security Center 5.11
Last updated
2023-05-26
Content type
Guides > User guides
Language
English
Product
Security Center
Version
5.11

authorized user

An authorized user is a user who can see (has the right to access) the entities contained in a partition. Users can only exercise their privileges on entities they can see.

Access control health history

The Access control health history task is a maintenance task that reports on events related to the health of access control entities. Unlike the events in the Health history report, the events in the Access control health history report are not generated by the Health Monitor role, identified by an event number, or categorized by severity.

access control unit

An access control unit entity represents an intelligent access control device, such as a Synergis™ appliance or an HID network controller, that communicates directly with the Access Manager over an IP network. An access control unit operates autonomously when it is disconnected from the Access Manager.
Also known as: door controller

Access control unit events

The Access control unit events task is a maintenance task that reports on events pertaining to selected access control units.

Access Manager

The Access Manager role manages and monitors access control units on the system.

access point

An access point is any entry (or exit) point to a physical area where access can be monitored and governed by access rules. An access point is typically a door side.

access right

An access right is the basic right users must have over any part of the system before they can do anything with it. Other rights, such as viewing and modifying entity configurations, are granted through privileges. In the context of a Synergis™ system, an access right is the right granted to a cardholder to pass through an access point at a given date and time.

access rule

An access rule entity defines a list of cardholders to whom access is either granted or denied based on a schedule. Access rules can be applied to secured areas and doors for entries and exits, or to intrusion detection areas for arming and disarming.

Access rule configuration

The Access rule configuration task is a maintenance task that reports on entities and access points affected by a given access rule.

Access troubleshooter

Access troubleshooter is a tool that helps you detect and diagnose access configuration problems. With this tool, you can find out about the following:
  • Who is allowed to pass through an access point at a given date and time
  • Which access points a cardholder is allowed to use at a given date and time
  • Why a given cardholder can or cannot use an access point at a given date and time

action

An action is a user-programmable function that can be triggered as an automatic response to an event, such as door held open for too long or object left unattended, or that can be executed according to a specific time table.

active alarm

An active alarm is an alarm that has not yet been acknowledged.

Active Directory

Active Directory is a directory service created by Microsoft, and a type of role that imports users and cardholders from an Active Directory and keeps them synchronized.

Active Directory (AD)

Acronym: AD

Activity trails

The Activity trails task is a maintenance task that reports on the user activity related to video, access control, and ALPR functionality. This task can provide information such as who played back which video recordings, who used the Hotlist and permit editor, who enabled hotlist filtering, and much more.

Advanced Systems Format

The Advanced Systems Format (ASF) is a video streaming format from Microsoft. The ASF format can only be played in media players that support this format, such as Windows Media Player.

Advanced Systems Format (ASF)

Acronym: ASF

agent

An agent is a subprocess created by a Security Center role to run simultaneously on multiple servers for the purpose of sharing its load.

alarm

An alarm entity describes a particular type of trouble situation that requires immediate attention and how it can be handled in Security Center. For example, an alarm can indicate which entities (usually cameras and doors) best describe the situation, who must be notified, how it must be displayed to the user, and so on.

alarm acknowledgement

An alarm acknowledgement is the final user response to an alarm that ends its lifecycle and removes it from the active alarm list. In Security Center, we have two variants of alarm acknowledgements: default and alternative. Each variant is associated to a different event so that specific actions can be programmed based on the alarm response selected by the user.

Alarm monitoring

The Alarm monitoring task is an operation task that you can use to monitor and respond to alarms (acknowledge, forward, snooze, and so on) in real time, and to review past alarms.

Alarm report

The Alarm report task is an investigation task that you can use to search and view current and past alarms.

analog monitor

An analog monitor entity represents a monitor that displays video from an analog source, such as a video decoder or an analog camera. This term is used in Security Center to refer to monitors that are not controlled by a computer.

antipassback

Antipassback is an access restriction placed on a secured area that prevents a cardholder from entering an area that they have not yet exited from, and vice versa.

Archiver

The Archiver role is responsible for the discovery, status polling, and control of video units. The Archiver also manages the video archive and performs motion detection if it is not done on the unit itself.

Archiver events

The Archiver events task is a maintenance task that reports on events pertaining to selected Archiver roles.

Archives

The Archives task is an investigation task that you can use to find and view video archives by camera and time range.

Archive storage details

The Archive storage details task is a maintenance task that reports on the video files (file name, start and end time, file size, protection status, and so on) used to store video archive. Using this task, you can also change the protection status of these video files.

archive transfer

Archive transfer is the process of transferring your video data from one location to another. The video is recorded and stored on the video unit itself or on an Archiver storage disk, and then the recordings are transferred to another location.

area

In Security Center, an area entity represents a concept or a physical location (room, floor, building, site, and so on) used for grouping other entities in the system.

Area activities

The Area activities task is an investigation task that reports on access control events pertaining to selected areas.

Area presence

The Area presence is and investigation task that provides a snapshot of all cardholders and visitors currently present in a selected area.

area view

The area view is a view that organizes the commonly used entities such as doors, cameras, tile plugins, intrusion detection areas, zones, and so on, by areas. This view is primarily created for the day to day work of the security operators.

asset

An asset entity represents any valuable object with an RFID tag attached, thus allowing it to be tracked by an asset management software.

asynchronous video

Asynchronous video is simultaneous playback video from more than one camera that are not synchronized in time.

audio decoder

An audio decoder is a device or software that decodes compressed audio streams for playback. Synonym of speaker.

audio encoder

An audio encoder is a device or software that encodes audio streams using a compression algorithm. Synonym of microphone.

Audit trails

The Audit trails task is a maintenance task that reports on the configuration changes of the selected entities in the system. The report also indicates the user who made the changes.

automatic enrollment

Automatic enrollment is when new IP units on a network are automatically discovered by and added to Security Center. The role that is responsible for the units broadcasts a discovery request on a specific port, and the units listening on that port respond with a message that contains the connection information about themselves. The role then uses the information to configure the connection to the unit and enable communication.

automatic license plate recognition

Automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) is an image processing technology used to read license plate numbers. ALPR converts license plate numbers cropped from camera images into a database searchable format.

automatic license plate recognition (ALPR)

Acronym: ALPR

AutoVu™

The AutoVu™ automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) system automates license plate reading and identification, making it easier for law enforcement and for municipal and commercial organizations to locate vehicles of interest and enforce parking restrictions. Designed for both fixed and mobile installations, the AutoVu™ system is ideal for a variety of applications and entities, including law enforcement, municipal, and commercial organizations.

Auxiliary Archiver

The Auxiliary Archiver role supplements the video archive produced by the Archiver role. Unlike the Archiver role, the Auxiliary Archiver role is not bound to any particular discovery port, therefore, it can archive any camera in the system, including cameras federated from other Security Center systems. The Auxiliary Archiver role cannot operate independently; it requires the Archiver role to communicate with video units.

Badge designer

The Badge designer is the tool that you can use to design and modify badge templates.

badge template

A badge template is an entity used to configure a printing template for badges.

bookmark

A bookmark is an indicator of an event or incident that is used to mark a specific point in time in a recorded video sequence. A bookmark also contains a short text description that can be used to search for and review the video sequences at a later time.

Bookmarks

The Bookmarks task is an investigation task that searches for bookmarks related to selected cameras within a specified time range.

broadcast

Broadcast is the communication between a single sender and all receivers on a network.

camera (Security Center)

A camera entity represents a single video source in the system. The video source can either be an IP camera, or an analog camera that connects to the video encoder of a video unit. Multiple video streams can be generated from the same video source.

camera blocking

Camera blocking is an Omnicast™ feature that lets you restrict the viewing of video (live or playback) from certain cameras to users with a minimum user level.

Camera configuration

The Camera configuration task is a maintenance task that reports on the properties and settings of local cameras in your system (manufacturer, resolution, frame rate, stream usage, and so on).

Camera events

The Camera events task is an investigation task that reports on events pertaining to selected cameras within a specified time range.

camera sequence

A camera sequence is an entity that defines a list of cameras that are displayed one after another in a rotating fashion within a single tile in Security Desk.

canvas

Canvas is one of the panes found in the Security Desk's task workspace. The canvas is used to display multimedia information, such as videos, maps, and pictures. It is further divided into three panels: the tiles, the dashboard, and the properties.

Card and PIN

Card and PIN is an access point mode that requires a cardholder to present their card, and then enter a personal identification number (PIN).

cardholder

A cardholder entity represents a person who can enter and exit secured areas by virtue of their credentials (typically access cards) and whose activities can be tracked.

Cardholder access rights

The Cardholder access rights task is a maintenance task that reports on which cardholders and cardholder groups are granted or denied access to selected areas, doors, and elevators.

Cardholder activities

The Cardholder activities task is an investigation task that reports on cardholder activities, such as access denied, first person in, last person out, antipassback violation, and so on.

Cardholder configuration

The Cardholder configuration is a maintenance task that reports on cardholder properties, such as first name, last name, picture, status, custom properties, and so on.

cardholder group

A cardholder group is an entity that defines the common access rights of a group of cardholders.

Cardholder management

The Cardholder management task is an operation task. You can use this task to create, modify, and delete cardholders. With this task, you can also manage a cardholders' credentials, including temporary replacement cards.

cash register

A cash register entity represents a single cash register (or terminal) in a point of sale system.

certificate

Designates one of the following: (1) digital certificate; (2) SDK certificate.

Config Tool

Config Tool is the Security Center administrative application used to manage all Security Center users and to configure all Security Center entities such as areas, cameras, doors, schedules, cardholders, patrol vehicles, ALPR units, and hardware devices.

Conflict resolution utility

The Conflict resolution utility is a tool that helps you resolve conflicts caused by importing users and cardholders from an Active Directory.

controlled exit

A controlled exit is when credentials are necessary to leave a secured area.

controller module

Controller module is the processing component of Synergis™ Master Controller with IP capability. This module comes pre-loaded with the controller firmware and the web-based administration tool, Synergis™ Appliance Portal.

Copy configuration tool

The Copy configuration tool helps you save configuration time by copying the settings of one entity to many others that partially share the same settings.

credential

A credential entity represents a proximity card, a biometrics template, or a PIN required to gain access to a secured area. A credential can only be assigned to one cardholder at a time.

Credential activities

The Credential activities task is an investigation task that reports on credential related activities, such as access denied due to expired, inactive, lost, or stolen credentialsl, and so on.

credential code

A credential code is a textual representation of the credential, typically indicating the Facility code and the Card number. For credentials using custom card formats, the user can choose what to include in the credential code.

Credential configuration

The Credential configuration task is a maintenance task that reports on credential properties, such as status, assigned cardholder, card format, credential code, custom properties, and so on.

Credential management

The Credential management task is an operation task. You can use this task to create, modify, and delete credentials. With this task, you can also print badges and enroll large numbers of card credentials into the system, either by scanning them at a designated card reader or by entering a range of values.

Credential request history

The Credential request history task is an investigation task that reports on which users requested, canceled, or printed cardholder credentials.

custom event

A custom event is an event added after the initial system installation. Events defined at system installation are called system events. Custom events can be user-defined or automatically added through plugin installations. Unlike system events, custom events can be renamed and deleted.

custom field

A custom field is a user-defined property that is associated with an entity type and is used to store additional information that is useful to your organization.

database server

A database server is an application that manages databases and handles data requests made by client applications. Security Center uses Microsoft SQL Server as its database server.

debounce

A debounce is the amount of time an input can be in a changed state (for example, from active to inactive) before the state change is reported. Electrical switches often cause temporarily unstable signals when changing states, possibly confusing the logical circuitry. Debouncing is used to filter out unstable signals by ignoring all state changes that are shorter than a certain period (in milliseconds).

degraded mode

Degraded mode is an offline operation mode of the interface module when the connection to the Synergis™ unit is lost. The interface module grants access to all credentials matching a specified facility code.

dependent mode

Dependent mode is an online operation mode of the interface module where the Synergis™ unit makes all access control decisions. Not all interface modules can operate in dependent mode.

dewarping

Dewarping is the transformation used to straighten a digital image taken with a fisheye lens.

digital signature

A digital signature is cryptographic metadata added to video frames by the Archiver or Auxiliary Archiver to ensure their authenticity. If a video sequence is manipulated by adding, deleting, or modifying frames, the signature of the modified content will differ from the original, indicating that the video sequence has been tampered with.

Directory

The Directory role identifies a Security Center system. It manages all entity configurations and system-wide settings. Only a single instance of this role is permitted on your system. The server hosting the Directory role is called the main server, and must be set up first. All other servers you add in Security Center are called expansion servers, and must connect to the main server to be part of the same system.

Directory Manager

The Directory Manager role manages the Directory failover and load balancing to produce the high availability characteristics in Security Center.

Directory server

A Directory server is any one of the multiple servers simultaneously running the Directory role in a high availability configuration.

discovery port

A discovery port is a port used by certain Security Center roles (Access Manager, Archiver, ALPR Manager) to find the units they are responsible for on the LAN. No two discovery ports can be the same on one system.

door

A door entity represents a physical barrier. Often, this is an actual door but it could also be a gate, a turnstile, or any other controllable barrier. Each door has two sides, named In and Out by default. Each side is an access point (entrance or exit) to a secured area.

Door activities

The Door activities task is an investigation task that generates reports on door-related activities, such as access denied, door forced open, door open too long, hardware tamper, and so on.

door contact

A door contact monitors the state of a door, whether it is open or closed. It can also be used to detect an improper state, such as door open too long.

door side

Every door has two sides, named In and Out by default. Each side is an access point to an area. For example, passing through one side leads into an area, and passing through the other side leads out of that area. For the purposes of access management, the credentials that are required to pass through a door in one direction are not necessarily the same that are required to pass through in the opposite direction.

Door troubleshooter

The Door troubleshooter task is a maintenance task that lists all the cardholders who have access to a particular door side or elevator floor at a specific date and time.

Driver Development Kit

Driver Development Kit is a SDK for creating device drivers.

Driver Development Kit (DDK)

Acronym: DDK

duress

A duress is a special code used to disarm an alarm system. This code quietly alerts the monitoring station that the alarm system was disarmed under threat.

edge recording

Edge recording is the process of recording and storing recorded videos on the peripheral device, thus removing the need for a centralized recording server or unit. With edge recording, you can store video directly on the camera’s internal storage device (SD card) or on a network attached storage volume (NAS volume).

electric door strike

An electric door strike is an electric device that releases the door latch when current is applied.

elevator

An elevator is an entity that provides access control properties to elevators. For an elevator, each floor is considered an access point.

Elevator activities

The Elevator activities task is an investigation task that reports on elevator related activities, such as access denied, floor accessed, unit is offline, hardware tamper, and so on.

enforce

To enforce is to take action following a confirmed hit. For example, a parking officer can enforce a scofflaw violation (unpaid parking tickets) by placing a wheel boot on the vehicle.

entity

Entities are the basic building blocks of Security Center. Everything that requires configuration is represented by an entity. An entity can represent a physical device, such as a camera or a door, or an abstract concept, such as an alarm, a schedule, a user, a role, a plugin, or an add-on.

entity tree

An entity tree is the graphical representation of Security Center entities in a tree structure, illustrating the hierarchical nature of their relationships.

event

In the context of Security Center, an event indicates the occurrence of an activity or incident, such as access denied to a cardholder or motion detected on a camera. Events are automatically logged in Security Center. Every event has an entity as its main focus, called the event source.

event-to-action

An event-to-action links an action to an event. For example, you can configure Security Center to trigger an alarm when a door is forced open.

expansion server

An expansion server is any server machine in a Security Center system that does not host the Directory role. The purpose of the expansion server is to add to the processing power of the system.

failover

Failover is a backup operational mode in which a role (system function) is automatically transferred from its primary server to a secondary server that is on standby. This transfer between servers occurs only if the primary server becomes unavailable, either through failure or through scheduled downtime.

federated entity

A federated entity is any entity that is imported from an independent system through one of the Federation™ roles.

federated system

A federated system is a independent system (Omnicast™ or Security Center) that is unified under your local Security Center through a Federation™ role, so that the local users can view and control its entities as if they belong to their local system.

Federation™

The Federation™ feature joins multiple, independent Genetec™ IP security systems into a single virtual system. With this feature, users on the central Security Center system can view and control entities that belong to remote systems.

Forensic search

The Forensic search task is an investigation task that searches for video sequences based on video analytics events.

four-port RS-485 module

A four-port RS-485 module is a RS-485 communication component of Synergis™ Master Controller with four ports (or channels) named A, B, C, and D. The number of interface modules you can connect to each channel depends on the type of hardware you have.

free access

A free access is an access point state where no credentials are necessary to enter a secured area. The door is unlocked. This is typically used during normal business hours, as a temporary measure during maintenance, or when the access control system is first powered up and is yet to be configured.

free exit

A free exit is an access point state where no credentials are necessary to leave a secured area. The person releases the door by turning the doorknob, or by pressing the REX button, and walks out. An automatic door closer shuts the door so it can be locked after being opened.

G64

G64 is a Security Center format used by archiving roles (Archiver and Auxiliary Archiver) to store video sequences issued from a single camera. This data format supports audio, bookmarks, metadata overlays, timestamps, motion and event markers, and variable frame rate and resolution.

Genetec™ Server

Genetec™ Server is the Windows service that is at the core of Security Center architecture, and that must be installed on every computer that is part of the Security Center's pool of servers. Every such server is a generic computing resource capable of taking on any role (set of functions) you assign to it.

Genetec™ Video Player

Genetec™ Video Player is a standalone media player you can use to view G64 and G64x video files exported from Security Desk. You can also use it to view video on a computer that does not have Security Center installed.

ghost camera

A ghost camera is an entity used as a substitute camera. This entity is automatically created by the Archiver when video archives are detected for a camera whose definition has been deleted from the Directory, either accidentally or because the physical device no longer exists. Ghost cameras cannot be configured, and only exist so users can reference the video archive that would otherwise not be associated to any camera.

Geographic Information System

Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system that captures spatial geographical data. Map Manager can connect to third-party vendors that provide GIS services in order to bring maps and all types of geographically referenced data to Security Center.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Acronym: GIS

Global Cardholder Synchronizer

The Global Cardholder Synchronizer role ensures the two-way synchronization of shared cardholders and their related entities between the local system (sharing guest) where it resides and the central system (sharing host).

Global Cardholder Synchronizer (GCS)

Acronym: GCS

global entity

A global entity is an entity that is shared across multiple independent Security Center systems by virtue of its membership to a global partition. Only cardholders, cardholder groups, credentials, and badge templates are eligible for sharing.

global partition

Global partition is a partition that is shared across multiple independent Security Center systems by the partition owner, called the sharing host.

hardware integration package

A hardware integration package, or HIP, is an update that can be applied to Security Center. It enables the management of new functionalities (for example, new video unit types), without requiring an upgrade to the next Security Center release.

hardware integration package (HIP)

Acronym: HIP

Hardware inventory

The Hardware inventory task is a maintenance task that reports on the characteristics (unit model, firmware version, IP address, time zone, and so on) of access control, video, intrusion detection, and ALPR units in your system.

hardware zone

A hardware zone is a zone entity in which the I/O linking is executed by a single access control unit. A hardware zone works independently of the Access Manager, and consequently, cannot be armed or disarmed from Security Desk.

Health history

The Health history task is a maintenance task that reports on health issues.

Health Monitor

The Health Monitor role monitors system entities such as servers, roles, units, and client applications for health issues.

Health statistics

The Health statistics task is a maintenance task that gives you an overall view of the health of your system by reporting on the availability of selected system entities such as roles, video units, and access control units.

high availability

High availability is a design approach that enables a system to perform at a higher than normal operational level. This often involves failover and load balancing.

hot action

A hot action is an action mapped to a PC keyboard function key (Ctrl+F1 through Ctrl+F12) in Security Desk for quick access.

hotspot

A hotspot is a map object that represents an area on the map which requires special attention. Clicking on a hotspot displays associated fixed and PTZ cameras.

identity provider

An identity provider is a trusted, external system that administers user accounts, and is responsible for providing user authentication and identity information to relying applications over a distributed network.

Import tool

The Import tool is the tool that you can use to import cardholders, cardholder groups, and credentials from a comma-separated values (CSV) file.

inactive entity

An inactive entity is an entity that is shaded in red in the entity browser. It signals that the real world entity it represents is either not working, offline, or incorrectly configured.

incident

An incident is an unexpected event reported by a Security Desk user. Incident reports can use formatted text and include events and entities as support material.

Incidents

The Incidents task is an investigation task that you can use to search, review, and modify incident reports created by Security Desk users.

interface module

An interface module is a third-party security device that communicates with an access control unit over IP or RS-485, and provides additional input, output, and reader connections to the unit.

interlock

An interlock (also known as sally port or airlock) is an access restriction placed on a secured area that permits only one perimeter door to be open at any given time.

intrusion detection area

An intrusion detection area entity represents a zone (sometimes called an area) or a partition (group of sensors) on an intrusion panel.

Intrusion detection area activities

The Intrusion detection area activities task is an investigation task that reports on activities (master arm, perimeter arm, duress, input trouble, and so on) in selected intrusion detection areas.

intrusion detection unit

An intrusion detection unit entity represents an intrusion device (intrusion panel, control panel, receiver, and so on) that is monitored and controlled by the Intrusion Manager role.

Intrusion detection unit events

The Intrusion detection unit events task is an investigation task that reports on events (AC fail, battery fail, unit lost, input trouble, and so on) related to selected intrusion detection units.

Intrusion Manager

The Intrusion Manager role monitors and controls intrusion detection units. It listens to the events reported by the units, provides live reports to Security Center, and logs the events in a database for future reporting.

intrusion panel

An intrusion panel (also known as alarm panel or control panel) is a wall-mounted unit where the alarm sensors (motion sensors, smoke detectors, door sensors, and so on) and wiring of the intrusion alarms are connected and managed.
Also known as: alarm panel

I/O configuration

The I/O configuration task is a maintenance task that reports on the I/O configurations (controlled access points, doors, and elevators) of access control units.

I/O linking

I/O (input/output) linking is controlling an output relay based on the combined state (normal, active, or trouble) of a group of monitored inputs. A standard application is to sound a buzzer (through an output relay) when any window on the ground floor of a building is shattered (assuming that each window is monitored by a "glass break" sensor connected to an input).

IP camera

An IP camera is a video encoder unit incorporating a camera.

IPv4

IPv4 is the first generation Internet protocol using a 32-bit address space.

IPv6

IPv6 is a 128-bit Internet protocol that uses eight groups of four hexadecimal digits for address space.

Keyhole Markup Language

Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is a file format used to display geographic data in an Earth browser such as Google Earth and Google Maps.

Keyhole Markup Language (KML)

Acronym: KML

license key

A license key is the software key used to unlock the Security Center software. The license key is specifically generated for each computer where the Directory role is installed. To obtain your license key, you need the System ID (which identifies your system) and the Validation key (which identifies your computer).

license plate inventory

A license plate inventory is a list of license plate numbers of vehicles found in a parking facility within a given time period, showing where each vehicle is parked (sector and row).

load balancing

Load balancing is the distribution of workload across multiple computers.

logical ID

Logical ID is a unique ID assigned to each entity in the system for ease of reference. Logical IDs are only unique within a particular entity type.

macro

A macro is an entity that encapsulates a C# program that adds custom functionalities to Security Center.

main server

The main server is the only server in a Security Center system hosting the Directory role. All other servers on the system must connect to the main server to be part of the same system. In a high availability configuration where multiple servers host the Directory role, it is the only server that can write to the Directory database.

map mode

Map mode is a Security Desk canvas operating mode that replaces tiles and controls with a geographical map showing all active, georeferenced events in your system. Switching to Map mode is a feature that comes with AutoVu™, Correlation, or Genetec Mission Control™, and requires a license for one of these major features.

map object

Map objects are graphical representations on your maps of Security Center entities or geographical features, such as cities, highways, rivers, and so on. With map objects, you can interact with your system without leaving your map.

map view

A map view is a defined section of a map.

master arm

Master arm is arming an intrusion detection area in such a way that all sensors attributed to the area would set the alarm off if one of them is triggered.
Also known as: Away arming

Media Router

The Media Router role is the central role that handles all stream requests (audio and video) in Security Center. It establishes streaming sessions between the stream source, such as a camera or an Archiver, and its requesters (client applications). Routing decisions are based on the location (IP address) and the transmission capabilities of all parties involved (source, destinations, networks, and servers).

Mobile Admin

(Obsolete as of SC 5.8 GA) Mobile Admin is a web-based administration tool used to configure the Mobile Server.

Genetec™ Mobile

Official name of the map-based Security Center mobile application for Android and iOS devices.

mobile credential

A mobile credential is a credential on a smartphone that uses Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to access secured areas.

Mobile License Plate Inventory

Mobile License Plate Inventory (MLPI) is the Genetec Patroller™ software installation that is configured for collecting license plates and other vehicle information for creating and maintaining a license plate inventory for a large parking area or parking garage.

Mobile License Plate Inventory (MLPI)

Acronym: MLPI

Mobile Server

The Mobile Server role provides Security Center access on mobile devices.

monitor group

A monitor group is an entity used to designate analog monitors for alarm display. Besides the monitor groups, the only other way to display alarms in real time is to use the Alarm monitoring task in Security Desk.

monitor ID

Monitor ID is an ID used to uniquely identify a workstation screen controlled by Security Desk.

Monitoring

The Monitoring task is an operation task that you can use to monitor and respond to real-time events that relate to selected entities. Using the Monitoring task, you can also monitor and respond to alarms.

motion detection

Motion detection is the feature that watches for changes in a series of video images. The definition of what constitutes motion in a video can be based on highly sophisticated criteria.

Motion search

The Motion search task is an investigation task that searches for motion detected in specific areas of a camera's field of view.

motion zone

A motion zone is a user defined areas within a video image where motion should be detected.

Move unit

Move unit tool is used to move units from one manager role to another. The move preserves all unit configurations and data. After the move, the new manager immediately takes on the command and control function of the unit, while the old manager continues to manage the unit data collected before the move.

network

The network entity is used to capture the characteristics of the networks used by your system so that proper stream routing decisions can be made.

network address translation

Network address translation is the process of modifying network address information in datagram (IP) packet headers while in transit across a traffic routing device, for the purpose of remapping one IP address space into another.

network address translation (NAT)

Acronym: NAT

network view

The network view is a browser view that illustrates your network environment by showing each server under the network they belong to.

notification tray

The notification tray contains icons that allow quick access to certain system features, and also displays indicators for system events and status information. The notification tray display settings are saved as part of your user profile and apply to both Security Desk and Config Tool.

Omnicast™

Security Center Omnicast™ is the IP video management system (VMS) that provides organizations of all sizes the ability to deploy a surveillance system adapted to their needs. Supporting a wide range of IP cameras, it addresses the growing demand for HD video and analytics, all the while protecting individual privacy.

Omnicast™ compatibility pack

Omnicast™ compatibility pack is the software component that you need to install to make Security Center compatible with an Omnicast™ 4.x system. Please note Omnicast™ 4.8 has reached End of Life. For more information, see the Genetec™ Product Lifecyle page.

Omnicast™ Federation™

The Omnicast™ Federation™ role connects an Omnicast™ 4.x system to Security Center. That way, the Omnicast™ entities and events can be used in your Security Center system. Please note Omnicast™ 4.8 has reached End of Life. For more information, see the Genetec™ Product Lifecyle page.

output behavior

An output behavior is an entity that defines a custom output signal format, such as a pulse with a delay and duration.

parking facility

A parking facility entity defines a large parking area as a number of sectors and rows for the purpose of inventory tracking.

partition

A partition is an entity in Security Center that defines a set of entities that are only visible to a specific group of users. For example, a partition could include all areas, doors, cameras, and zones in one building.

People counting

The People counting task is an operation task that keeps count in real-time of the number of cardholders in all secured areas of your system.

perimeter arm

Perimeter arm is arming an intrusion detection area in such a way that only sensors attributed to the area perimeter set the alarm off if triggered. Other sensors, such as motion sensors inside the area, are ignored.

Plan Manager

(Obsolete) Plan Manager is a module of Security Center that provides interactive mapping functionality to better visualize your security environment. The Plan Manager module has been replaced by the Security Center role, Map Manager, since version 5.4 GA.

plugin

A plugin (in lowercase) is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing program. Depending on the context, plugin can refer either to the software component itself or to the software package used to install the software component.

plugin role

A plugin role adds optional features to Security Center. A plugin role is created by using the Plugin role template. By default, it is represented by an orange puzzle piece in the Roles view of the System task. Before you can create a plugin role, the software package specific to that role must be installed on your system.

Point of sale

Point of sale (POS) is a system that typically refers to the hardware and software used for checkouts - the equivalent of an electronic cash register. These systems are used to capture detailed transactions, authorize payments, track inventory, audit sales, and manage employees. Point of sale systems are used in supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, stadiums, casinos, retail establishments.

Point of sale (POS)

Acronym: POS

primary server

The primary server is the default server chosen to perform a specific function (or role) in the system. To increase the system's fault-tolerance, the primary server can be protected by a secondary server on standby. When the primary server becomes unavailable, the secondary server automatically takes over.

private IP address

A private IP address is an IP address chosen from a range of addresses that are only valid for use on a LAN. The ranges for a private IP address are: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 to 172.16.255.255, and 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255. Routers on the Internet are normally configured to discard any traffic using private IP addresses.

private task

A private task is a saved task that is only visible to the user who created it.

privilege

Privileges define what users can do, such as arming zones, blocking cameras, and unlocking doors, over the part of the system they have access rights to.

public task

A public task is a saved task that can be shared and reused among multiple Security Center users.

reader

A reader is a sensor that reads the credential for an access control system. For example, this can be a card reader, or a biometrics scanner.

recording mode

Recording mode is the criteria by which the system schedules the recording of video streams. There are four possible recording modes:
  • Continuous. Records continuously.
  • On motion/Manual. Records according to motion detection settings, and when a user or system action requests it.
  • Manual. Records only when a user or system action requests it.
  • Off. No recording is permitted.

recording state

Recording state is the current recording status of a given camera. There are four possible recording states: Enabled, Disabled, Currently recording (unlocked), and Currently recording (locked).

redirector

A redirector is a server assigned to host a redirector agent created by the Media Router role.

redirector agent

A redirector agent is an agent created by the Media Router role to redirect data streams from one IP endpoint to another.

redundant archiving

Redundant archiving is an option to enhance the availability of video and audio archives during failover and to protect against data loss. If you enable this option, all servers assigned to an Archiver role archive video, and audio, at the same time.

Remote

The Remote task is an operation task that you can use to remotely monitor and control other Security Desk applications in your system that are running the Monitoring task or the Alarm monitoring task.

Report Manager

The Report Manager role automates report emailing and printing based on schedules.

report pane

The report pane is one of the panes found in the Security Desk workspace. It displays query results or real-time events in a tabular form.

request to exit

Request to exit (REX) is a door release button normally located on the inside of a secured area that when pressed, allows a person to exit the secured area without having to show any credential. This can also be the signal from a motion detector. It is also the signal received by the controller for a request to exit.

request to exit (REX)

Acronym: REX

role

A role is a software component that performs a specific job within Security Center. To execute a role, you must assign one or more servers to host it.

roles and units view

The roles and units view is a browser view that lists the roles on your system with the units they control as child entities.

route

A route is a setting that configures the transmission capabilities between two end points in a network for the purpose of routing media streams.

schedule

A schedule is an entity that defines a set of time constraints that can be applied to a multitude of situations in the system. Each time constraint is defined by a date coverage (daily, weekly, ordinal, or specific) and a time coverage (all day, fixed range, daytime, and nighttime).

scheduled task

A scheduled task is an entity that defines an action that executes automatically on a specific date and time, or according to a recurring schedule.

Software Development Kit

The Software Development Kit (SDK) is what end-users use to develop custom applications or custom application extensions for Security Center.

Software Development Kit (SDK)

Acronym: SDK

secondary server

A secondary server is an alternative server on standby intended to replace the primary server in case the latter becomes unavailable.
Also known as: standby server

Security Center

Security Center is a truly unified platform that blends IP video surveillance, access control, automatic license plate recognition, intrusion detection, and communications within one intuitive and modular solution. By taking advantage of a unified approach to security, your organization becomes more efficient, makes better decisions, and responds to situations and threats with greater confidence.

Security Center Federation™

The Security Center Federation™ role connects a remote independent Security Center system to your local Security Center system. That way, the remote system's entities and events can be used in your local system.

Security Center Mobile

(Obsolete) See Mobile Server and Genetec™ Mobile.

security clearance

A security clearance is a numerical value used to further restrict the access to an area when a threat level is in effect. Cardholders can only enter an area if their security clearance is equal or higher than the minimum security clearance set on the area.

Security Desk

Security Desk is the unified user interface of Security Center. It provides consistent operator flow across all of the Security Center main systems, Omnicast™, Synergis™, and AutoVu™. The unique task-based design of Security Desk lets operators efficiently control and monitor multiple security and public safety applications.

server

In Security Center, a server entity represents a computer on which the Genetec™ Server service is installed.

Server Admin

Server Admin is the web application running on every server machine in Security Center that you use to configure the Genetec™ Server settings. You use this same application to configure the Directory role on the main server.

sharing guest

A sharing guest is a Security Center system that has been given the rights to view and modify entities owned by another Security Center system, called the sharing host. Sharing is done by placing the entities in a global partition.

sharing host

A sharing host is a Security Center system that gives the right to other Security Center systems to view and modify its entities by putting them up for sharing in a global partition.

Synergis™ Appliance Portal

The Synergis™ Appliance Portal is the web-based administration tool used to configure and administer the Synergis™ appliance and upgrade its firmware.

standard schedule

A standard schedule is a schedule entity that can be used in all situations. Its only limitation is that it does not support daytime or nighttime coverage.

strict antipassback

A strict antipassback is an antipassback option. When enabled, a passback event is generated when a cardholder attempts to leave an area that they were never granted access to. When disabled, Security Center only generates passback events for cardholders entering an area that they never exited.

supervised mode

Supervised mode is an online operation mode of the interface module where the interface module makes decisions based on the access control settings previously downloaded from the Synergis™ unit. The interface module reports its activities in real time to the unit, and allows the unit to override a decision if it contradicts the current settings in the unit. Not all interface modules can operate in supervised mode.

synchronous video

A synchronous video is a simultaneous live video or playback video from more than one camera that are synchronized in time.

Synergis™

Security Center Synergis™ is the IP access control system (ACS) that heightens your organization’s physical security and increases your readiness to respond to threats. Synergis™ supports an ever-growing portfolio of third-party door control hardware and electronic locks. Using Synergis™, you can leverage your existing investment in network and security equipment.

Synergis™ Master Controller

Synergis™ Master Controller (SMC) is an access control appliance of Genetec Inc. that supports various third-party interface modules over IP and RS-485. SMC is seamlessly integrated with Security Center and can make access control decisions independently of the Access Manager.

Synergis™ Master Controller (SMC)

Acronym: SMC

System

The System task is an administration task that you can use to configure roles, macros, schedules, and other system entities and settings.

system event

A system event is a predefined event that indicates the occurrence of an activity or incident. System events are defined by the system and cannot be renamed or deleted.

System status

The System status task is a maintenance task that you can use to monitor the status of all entities of a given type in real time and to interact with them.

tailgating

Tailgating designates one of the following: tailgating (access control) or tailgating (analytics).

task

A task is the central concept on which the entire Security Center user interface is built. Each task corresponds to one aspect of your work as a security professional. For example, use a monitoring task to monitor system events in real-time, use an investigation task to discover suspicious activity patterns, or use an administration task to configure your system. All tasks can be customized and multiple tasks can be carried out simultaneously.

taskbar

A taskbar is a user interface element of the Security Center client application window, composed of the Home tab and the active task list. The taskbar can be configured to be displayed on any edge of the application window.

task cycling

A task cycling is a Security Desk feature that automatically cycles through all tasks in the active task list following a fixed dwell time.

task workspace

A task workspace is an area in the Security Center client application window reserved for the current task. The workspace is typically divided into the following panes: canvas, report pane, controls, and area view.

temporary access rule

A temporary access rule is an access rule that has an activation and an expiration time. Temporary access rules are suited for situations where permanent cardholders need to have temporary or seasonal access to restricted areas. These access rules are automatically deleted seven days after they expire to avoid cluttering the system.

threat level

Threat level is an emergency handling procedure that a Security Desk operator can enact on one area or the entire system to deal promptly with a potentially dangerous situation, such as a fire or a shooting.

tile

A tile is an individual window within the canvas, used to display a single entity. The entity displayed is typically the video from a camera, a map, or anything of a graphical nature. The look and feel of the tile depends on the displayed entity.

tile ID

The tile ID is the number displayed at the upper left corner of the tile. This number uniquely identifies each tile within the canvas.

tile mode

Tile mode is the main Security Desk canvas operating mode that presents information in separate tiles.

tile pattern

The tile pattern is the arrangement of tiles within the canvas.

tile plugin

A tile plugin is a software component that runs inside a Security Desk tile. By default, it is represented by a green puzzle piece in the area view.

Time and attendance

The Time and attendance task is an investigation task that reports on who has been inside a selected area and the total duration of their stay within a given time range.

timed antipassback

Timed antipassback is an antipassback option. When Security Center considers a cardholder to be already in an area, a passback event is generated when the cardholder attempts to access the same area again during the time delay defined by Presence timeout. When the time delay has expired, the cardholder can once again pass into the area without generating a passback event.

timeline

A timeline is a graphic illustration of a video sequence, showing where in time, motion and bookmarks are found. Thumbnails can also be added to the timeline to help the user select the segment of interest.

twilight schedule

A twilight schedule is a schedule entity that supports both daytime and nighttime coverages. A twilight schedule cannot be used in all situations. Its primary function is to control video related behaviors.

unit

A unit is a hardware device that communicates over an IP network that can be directly controlled by a Security Center role. We distinguish four types of units in Security Center:
  • Access control units, managed by the Access Manager role
  • Video units, managed by the Archiver role
  • ALPR units, managed by the ALPR Manager role
  • Intrusion detection units, managed by the Intrusion Manager role

Unit discovery tool

Starting with Security Center 5.4 GA the Unit discovery tool has been replaced by the Unit enrollment tool.

Unit replacement

Unit replacement is a tool that you can use to replace a failed hardware device with a compatible one, while ensuring that the data associated to the old unit gets transferred to the new one. For an access control unit, the configuration of the old unit is copied to the new unit. For a video unit, the video archive associated to the old unit is now associated to the new unit, but the unit configuration is not copied.

unlock schedule

An unlock schedule defines the periods of time when free access is granted through an access point (door side or elevator floor).

unreconciled read

An unreconciled read is an MLPI license plate read that has not been committed to an inventory.

user

A user is an entity that identifies a person who uses Security Center applications and defines the rights and privileges that person has on the system. Users can be created manually or imported from an Active Directory.

user group

A user group is an entity that defines a group of users who share common properties and privileges. By becoming member of a group, a user automatically inherits all the properties of the group. A user can be a member of multiple user groups. User groups can also be nested.

user level (Security Center)

A user level is a numeric value assigned to users to restrict their ability to perform certain operations, such as controlling a camera PTZ, viewing the video feed from a camera, or staying logged on when a threat level is set. Level 1 is the highest user level, with the most privileges.

validation key

A validation key is a serial number uniquely identifying a computer that must be provided to obtain the license key.

video analytics

Video analytics is the software technology that is used to analyze video for specific information about its content. Examples of video analytics include counting the number of people crossing a line, detection of unattended objects, or the direction of people walking or running.

video archive

A video archive is a collection of video, audio, and metadata streams managed by an Archiver or Auxilliary Archiver role. These collections are catalogued in the archive database that includes camera events linked to the recordings.

video decoder

A video decoder is a device that converts a digital video stream into analog signals (NTSC or PAL) for display on an analog monitor. The video decoder is one of the many devices found on a video decoding unit.

video encoder (Security Center)

A video encoder is a device that converts an analog video source to a digital format by using a standard compression algorithm, such as H.264, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, or M-JPEG. The video encoder is one of the many devices found on a video encoding unit.

video file

A video file is a file created by an archiving role (Archiver or Auxiliary Archiver) to store archived video. The file extension is G64 or G64x. You need Security Desk or the Genetec™ Video Player to view video files.

Video file explorer

The Video file explorer is an investigation task that you can use to browse through your file system for video files (G64 and G64x), and to play, convert to ASF, and verify the authenticity of these files.

video sequence

A video sequence is any recorded video stream of a certain duration.

video stream

A video stream is an entity representing a specific video quality configuration (data format, image resolution, bit rate, frame rate, and so on) on a camera.

video unit

A video unit is a video encoding or decoding device that is capable of communicating over an IP network and that can incorporate one or more video encoders. The high-end encoding models also include their own recording and video analytics capabilities. Cameras (IP or analog), video encoders, and video decoders are all examples of video units. In Security Center, a video unit refers to an entity that represents a video encoding or decoding device.

virtual zone

A virtual zone is a zone entity where the I/O linking is done by software. The input and output devices can belong to different units of different types. A virtual zone is controlled by the Zone Manager and only works when all the units are online. It can be armed and disarmed from Security Desk.

Visit details

The Visit details task is an investigation task that reports on the stay (check-in and check-out time) of current and past visitors.

Visitor activities

The Visitor activities task is an investigation task that reports on visitor activities (access denied, first person in, last person out, antipassback violation, and so on).

Visitor management

The Visitor management task is the operation task that you can use to check in, check out, and modify visitors, as well as manage their credentials, including temporary replacement cards.

visual reporting

Visual reporting is dynamic charts or graphs in Security Desk that deliver insights that you act on. You can perform searches and investigate situations using these visual and user-friendly reports. The visual report data can be analyzed to help identify activity patterns and enhance your understanding.

visual tracking

Visual tracking is a Security Center feature that lets you follow an individual in live or playback mode through areas of your facility that are monitored by cameras.

VSIP port

The VSIP port is the name given to the discovery port of Verint units. A given Archiver can be configured to listen to multiple VSIP ports.

Watchdog

Genetec™ Watchdog is a Security Center service installed alongside the Genetec™ Server service on every server computer. Genetec™ Watchdog monitors the Genetec™ Server service, and restarts it if abnormal conditions are detected.

Web-based SDK

The Web-based SDK role exposes the Security Center SDK methods and objects as web services to support cross-platform development.

Web Client

Security Center Web Client is the web application that gives users remote access to Security Center so that they can monitor videos, investigate events related to various system entities, search for and investigate alarms, and manage cardholders, visitors, and credentials. Users can log on to Web Client from any computer that has a supported web browser installed.

Web Map Service

Web Map Service (WMS) is a standard protocol for serving georeferenced map images over the Internet that are generated by a map server using data from a GIS database.

Web Map Service (WMS)

Acronym: WMS

wheel imaging

Wheel imaging is a virtual tire-chalking technology that takes images of the wheels of vehicles to prove whether they have moved between two license plate reads.

widget

A widget is a component of the graphical user interface (GUI) with which the user interacts.

Windows Communication Foundation

Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) is a communication architecture used to enable applications, in one machine or for multiple machines connected by a network, to communicate. Genetec Patroller™ uses WCF to communicate wirelessly with Security Center.

Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)

Acronym: WCF

zone

A zone is an entity that monitors a set of inputs and triggers events based on their combined states. These events can be used to control output relays.

Zone activities

The Zone activities task is an investigation task that reports on zone related activities (zone armed, zone disarmed, lock released, lock secured, and so on).

Zone Manager

The Zone Manager role manages virtual zones and triggers events or output relays based on the inputs configured for each zone. It also logs the zone events in a database for zone activity reports.

Zone occupancy

The Zone occupancy task is an investigation task that reports on the number of vehicles parked in a selected parking area, and the percentage of occupancy.