CHERRY, a leading global manufacturer of computer input devices and switches for mechanical keyboards, and a Recognized Platinum Award Winner in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, has announced the appointment of Richard Simone as CEO of CHERRY Americas.
Simone has more than 20 years of executive experience in consumer and B2B technology and commerce.
“CHERRY is a premier global brand known for superior product quality, style, and ergonomic design,” explains Simone.
“My goal is to significantly expand our footprint in both consumer and B2B markets.”
“To that end, we’re planning to bring a slew of exciting new products to market, while we substantially expand our presence in both traditional and digital commerce channels.”
“I’m proud to join a passionate and highly capable team here at CHERRY.”
(CHERRY GmbH, with its headquarters in Germany , is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of computer input devices – focusing on applications for offices, industry, security, and switches of mechanical keyboards for PC gaming for example. Courtesy of CHERRY and YouTube.)
CHERRY is a industry leading manufacturer of computer input devices with a focus on the Gaming, Office, Industry, Security and Healthcare markets.
“This is an exciting time for Richard to join our company,” said Rolf Unterberger, CEO of CHERRY Group.
“We want more American consumers and organizations to experience the CHERRY difference.”
“Richard possesses the experience and leadership capabilities we need to achieve that goal.”
Simone has an extensive background in product strategy, sales and merchandizing.
He was vice president of sales and merchandizing for Samsung Techwin America, a leading maker of video surveillance products, acquired by The Hanwha Group, which was a Multiple Award Winner in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.
Prior to Samsung, he held a variety of executive positions at Panasonic, including vice president of sales and merchandizing, working across all of its key consumer product lines.
Before that, Simone was a divisional vice president with Office Max.
COVID-19 is influencing the world of work, yet it remains to be said that Remote Work will be an integral part of the working world in the future.
Increased demands – for comfort and security
When working from home becomes even partially standard, the focus shifts to home office equipment.
Ergonomic workstations, which fortunately are already part of the basic equipment in most offices today, will then also become increasingly important and demanded in the home workspace.
Companies will then be increasingly obliged to equip their employees with high-quality work equipment that meets the latest requirements in terms of ergonomics and durability.
This is especially true for input devices – after all, office workers in the U.S. spend a lot of time in front of the computer.
Providers of such ergonomic input devices, such as CHERRY, who also meet the increased demands of IT security, will benefit greatly from this trend.
After all, remote work also involves accessing a company’s network from outside.
In this context, questions of user authentication and the authorization of access are becoming increasingly important.
Contact/contactless card reader and encrypted key transmission
Input devices are already gateways through which sensitive data can be accessed before other security measures such as firewalls or virus scanners take effect.
It is no coincidence that two-factor authentication is already standard in many applications and is achieved, for example, by using a smart card.
Hybrid input devices, such as keyboards with integrated card readers, will become more and more popular and open up new areas of application.
As true space-saving wonders, CHERRY keyboards, for example, where the card reader is already integrated, meet all the necessary requirements for electronic signatures, authentication, data encryption, and access authorization.
Changes in society as a wholeInput devices that have an integrated authentication feature, such as a mouse with a fingerprint sensor, to name just one more example, will become increasingly popular with end-users as well as with companies, government agencies, and institutions.
Changes that are already noticeable today, but will also prevail in the medium and long term in the world of work, will also become increasingly self-evident in everyday life.
Video chats, for example, which are enjoying increasing popularity in the remote work environment, will also conquer everyday life – not only against the background of forced social distancing.
Due to corona restrictions, those who can only see their loved ones via video call will continue to use this technology much more frequently and more casually than perhaps already today, even after the pandemic measures have been dropped.
This means that the PC will increasingly become an integral part of everyday life, which will raise expectations in terms of resilience, ease of use, and longevity of devices.
Hardware providers will have to adapt to this trend.
The development described above will also lead to the older generations, who may have previously adopted a rather negative attitude towards modern technology, opening up and integrating computer technology into their lives.
In all probability, this new target group will attach particular importance to ergonomically adapted input devices, from which manufacturers such as CHERRY with its ergonomic mice or mice specially designed for left-handed users will benefit greatly.
(Meet the CHERRY MW 4500 computer computer mouse with its particularly ergonomic form is ideal for office or home use and designed to prevent wrist strain. With its contoured shape and 45° angle, you don’t need to place your hand completely flat which results in a more natural hand position, allowing you to work without fatigue and with fewer problems to your wrist and tendons. Courtesy of CHERRY and YouTube.)
Outside of work
While contact and indoor sports are temporarily banned as part of the measures to contain the pandemic, online games and gaming are becoming increasingly popular.
For example, this is demonstrated by Statista’s market outlook for the worldwide development in the video games segment.
For 2020 alone, sales are estimated at around $97,29,000. According to the forecast, a market volume of $106,652,000 will be reached in 2025; this corresponds to expected annual growth in sales of 1.9% (CAGR 2020-2025).
Gamers already swear by CHERRY’s mechanical keyboards and high-precision gaming mice. The Auerbach-based company is also the inventor of the CHERRY MX switches, one of the world’s leading suppliers of switch technology.
(See CHERRY’s diverse selection of current mechanical gaming keyboards. Next to insights on the keyboards themselves, CHERRY also presents a brief overview of the CHERRY MX switches installed inside. Courtesy of CHERRY MX and YouTube.)
End effect
CHERRY is currently experiencing a series of upheavals that are manifesting themselves both in the world of work and in society itself.
Digitization, which has been underway for years, has clearly picked up speed and will continue to do so. New social advancements and tools have become entrenched in our daily lives.
The PC is becoming an even more indispensable part of everyday life and work.
Different groups will have different demands on the devices.
What they all have in common is that, due to more frequent use, aspects such as ergonomics, quality, and durability will become increasingly important.
Manufacturers who have such products in their portfolio will benefit from this trend.
CHERRY GmbH, headquartered in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany, is the world’s leading manufacturer of premium mechanical switches for the PC gaming keyboard market.
Founded in 1953, the CHERRY brand is synonymous with “German-quality” products that are designed and developed specifically for the needs of its customers.
To Learn More about CHERRY’s wide range of products and services, with an emphasis on the company’s security products, please visit cherryamericas.com/products/security.
CHERRY Americas Takes Platinum in 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program
American Security Today’s ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program is entering its Sixth Year and continues to recognize the Outstanding Innovations of top firms and agencies in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
90% of ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners return to compete in the Annual ‘ASTORS‘ Homeland Security Awards Program, and 100% of ‘ASTORS’ Sponsors have returned year to year to reap the benefits of their participation in the industry’s largest and most comprehensive Annual Awards Program.
2020 was a very challenging year for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the much heralded AST ‘ASTORS’ Awards Winners Presentations and exclusive Luncheon at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC was canceled and rescheduled for 2021 due to the virus.
However, the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program was again a huge success and many new categories were added including a section for COVID-19 Detection and Innovation.
CHERRY Americas
Best Smart Card/Reader System
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CHERRY Smart Card Reader Solutions
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CHERRY’s Smart Card Reader portfolio offers a complete system that provides a full set of integrated solutions for government security requirements.
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The system, which includes the CHERRY SmartTerminal ST-1144, the CHERRY SECURE BOARD 1.0 and the KC 1000 allows users to obtain the right device or combination of devices to fulfill their all of their secure data entry requirements.
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Today, it is impossible to imagine access control to sensitive areas without smart cards. CHERRY’s SmartTerminal ST-1144 with USB connection supports allows user to protect sensitive data in a straight-forward and reliable way.
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Whether access controls, network logon, or chip card-based internet transactions – the SmartTerminal ST-1144 makes a valuable contribution to protecting sensitive data.
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The Department of Defense has been relying on CHERRY’s smart card terminals for many years.
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The SmartTerminal ST-1144 is durable and robust, and is designed for around 100,000 mating cycles.
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SECURE BOARD 1.0: The go-to first step of data security is usually through the use of passwords – which are unfortunately all too easily forgotten, changed too rarely or accidentally disclosed to third parties due to negligence – with all the negative consequences.
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This TAA Compliant security keyboard ensures maximum protection from “BadUSB” attacks via use of a secure mode, meaning that the authenticity of the device is verified on a certificate-based basis, and the key transmission is encrypted.
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The SECURE BOARD 1.0 makes it impossible for hardware keyloggers to access sensitive access data and passwords by blocking the standard keyboard channel, “BadUSB” attacks are a thing of the past: USB sticks that log onto the system as a keyboard cannot inject uncontrolled entries and malicious codes.
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The SECURE BOARD achieves higher security through two-factor authentication using a smart card. As a rule, the terminal with which the card is read out is required when processing smart card data.
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KC 1000: The CHERRY KC 1000 keyboard features an integrated high-quality Smart Card terminal. These reliable and long-life keyboards feature an intelligent and ergonomic design, secure PIN entry, state-of-the art security technology and a USB connection.
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These keyboards are known for long-lasting reliable operation – over 10 million key operations The KC 1000 keyboard is also a leading solution for government security applications.
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*CHERRY was also recognized in the 2017 and 2016 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Programs.
The 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert, X.Labs and Reed Exhibitions, every one a returning Sponsor from 2020, 2019 and More.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
| COVID Innovations | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.
As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Check Out the New 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2020 ‘A Year in Review’.
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.
It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2020 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
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For a complete list of 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, click here.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, and the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
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- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
