Acoustic Technology Inc. (ATI), a leader in the mass notification industry, and Platinum Award Winner in the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program for Best Mass Notification/Siren System, is pleased to announce REACT5000 has been nominated to compete in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
ATI’s new next generation REACT5000 Central Control Unit (CCU) provides enhanced control and monitoring of ATI remote units such as the Indoor Speaker Station (ISU) and the High Power Speaker Station (HPSS) and serves as a key component in the creation of a powerful and flexible Mass Notification System (MNS).
ATI, has long anticipated the potential for vulnerabilities and has designed systems for many years that incorporate increasingly advanced security protocols to prevent attacks.
Radio control systems for sirens have evolved greatly over the years. Simple on/off control systems using DTMF tones, such as those compromised in Dallas in 2017, are relatively easy to hack or spoof.
(A search was underway for a hacker who caused panic and confusion in Dallas by triggering all of the city’s emergency sirens, intended to warn people of incoming severe weather. Courtesy of CBS This Morning and YouTube. Posted on Apr 10, 2017)
In contrast, ATI uses modems to encode commands as digital data packets sent over the radio and so eliminate the most obvious vulnerabilities.
However, information technology (and accompanying threats) have evolved significantly over the years.
It’s always a race to stay ahead and some clients may opt to periodically assess the communication and security features of their systems.
REACT5000
As part of the ongoing effort to stay ahead, ATI recently launched a next-generation Central Control Unit (CCU), the REACT5000.
It provides enhanced control and monitoring of ATI remote units such as the Indoor Speaker Station (ISU) and the High-Power Speaker Station (HPSS).
It serves as a key component in the creation of a powerful and flexible MNS and uses powerful encryption algorithms accelerated by the hardware of the onboard processor.
An intuitive touch screen interface allows for the activation of tone alerts, recorded voice messages, or live PA, and displays the status of remote units.
It may be used in conjunction with ATI’s MassAlert™ software for complete control of complex multi-location MNS applications, but may also be used as a standalone controller for smaller systems.
The REACT5000 supports multiple simultaneous communication paths to provide the most robust notification system available.
Additionally, it supports a wide variety of I/O protocols for simple interfacing to 3rd party systems and optional accessories. Enhanced IP support provides improved connectivity and security.
Multiple form factors are available for maximum flexibility in mechanical mounting and battery back-up power allows complete control of your system in the event of electrical outages.
REACT5000 Key Features Include:
- 7″ VGA touch screen with powerful GUI allows user to control and monitor system
- Multiple form factors available: all in one CCU or smaller desktop CCU with optional remote mounting of radio and battery
- Built-in speaker and desktop microphone
- Simple interfacing to other systems via USB, RS232, RS485 and CANbus
- Additional ports for flexible low-level interfacing: line-level audio input/output, relay connections, opto-isolated inputs and monitored push button inputs
- Upgraded security and authentication
- IP, radio, fiber, satellite, DSL and cellular options available for convenient, redundant communication paths to remote units*
- Backup power options: 7AH UPS or battery
- Supports up to 45 Watt UHF/VHF mobile radios from various manufacturers including trunked radios*
*Additional equipment may be required.
REACT5000 can be used in conjunction with ATI’s proprietary system control software, MassAlert, for complete control of complex multi-location MNS applications.
MassAlert is designed to prevent intrusion and to secure the communication links to warning systems in the field.
Additionally, MassAlert employs a credential hierarchy to ensure users and administrators only have access to appropriate functions.
The storage of critical system data is encrypted and ATI’s remote unit controller hardware includes a variety of protective features.
Hawaii’s Ballistic Missile Attack False Alarm
An early-morning emergency alert warning of an incoming ballistic missile attack was dispatched to cellphones across Hawaii on January 13, 2018, setting off widespread panic.
(A false missile alert turned Hawaii upside down resulting in people crawled under tables in cafes, were ushered into military hangars and huddled around televisions to watch the news for the latest developments. Courtesy of CNN and YouTube. Posted on Jan 14, 2018)
It was later determined that the alert was a false alarm and resulted from human error.
To avoid such catastrophic errors, ATI’s MassAlert® software adopts a “two-point” validation concept.
This design is to prevent accidental system activations by a single individual.
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In practice, once one operator activates a system another operator is prompted to confirm system activation.
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The second operator can be notified through various means including SMS, automated phone call, smartphone application, and others.
It is possible for a group of multiple persons to be prompted in case of system activation.
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Any of these operators can respond to the request for confirmation of the alert.
In the event of a true emergency speed of notification is imperative.
Instead of depending on a single confirming operator, who may be unavailable, this option ensures an immediate response.
ATI developed a unique solution to be able to provide a clear, intelligible direction to the public to protect them in an emergency situation, such as active shooter, a weather emergency or a manmade disaster.
“ATI’s various MNS components are capable of providing highly intelligible, lifesaving instructions and directions to the local populace,” remarked Dr. Ray Bassiouni, president and CEO of ATI Systems.
Also, he added, “When every second counts, the powerful, and highly intelligible multi-language voice broadcasts from ATI’s indoor/outdoor sound equipment ensures that emergency communications are heard and understood over large areas, even inside cars and buildings.”
Key applications include:
Community Systems
- ATI has provided emergency alert sirens for several communities such as Hudson County in New Jersey.
- Sirens are placed outside transportation hubs like Hoboken Terminal, at Exchange Place in Jersey City, at the Port Imperial ferry terminal in Weehawken, and in other highly populated areas of the county.
The system utilizes a high-security communication scheme to prevent unauthorized activation.
ATI is currently working with San Francisco to upgrade their system, installed in 2005, to include the latest security features.
Campuses
- ATI has implemented indoor and outdoor warning systems on numerous campuses, such as the University of Massachusetts and Harvard University.
These systems are able to provide immediate alerts to students, faculty, staff, and visitors in the event of an emergency by providing clear intelligible directives.
Protection of Critical Infrastructure
- ATI Systems provides audio and visual equipment to protect critical infrastructure to such places as the construction site of the World Trade Center.
- This notification system included audibility and intelligibility systems to the ATC Towers 1, 2, 3, and 4
- The Vehicle Screening Center (VSC)
- The PATH Transportation Hub, and
- The WTC Memorial and chiller plant.
Given the sensitive nature of the site as well as its surrounding residential and professional neighbors, this system achieves a minimal amount of sound and visual spillover to the community.
This is attained by designing the audio system to project sound into the site from the perimeter rather than from the center outward.
Portable & Mobile Mass Notification
- ATI Systems has deployed portable and mobile mass notification system to many customers around the world including several military bases and the City of Boston.
A portable or mobile unit is a great tool for the Boston Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police to alert citizens about severe weather emergencies or large-scale accidents, and the unit has proven exceptionally successful for crowd or riot control.
ATI’s sirens ensure that when an emergency management team sounds an all clear the message is heard by everyone affected.
Often cellphone networks will be overloaded by panicking people trying to reach their families to make sure they are safe.
In this situation, the use of traditional sirens is the best and most effective means of communication, and ATI Systems’ high-performance products are used by colleges and universities, cities and towns, ports, refineries, nuclear power plants, military bases and other homeland security locations to maintain the safety of their operations.
ATI Systems has become synonymous with state-of-the-art MNS and has a reputation of producing systems that are reliable and secure.
Security is an important part of all ATI’s hardware/software requirements, and with each new product release, the goal is to make sure it is secure for many years to come.
To achieve that goal, ATI is always planning ahead to keep systems updated with robust security standards and protocols and these have been incorporated into our new products.
ATI is confident the security of its systems and products has advanced to match changes in technology and will continue to do so.
ATI Systems a Proud Sponsor of the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
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ATI Systems
- Platinum ‘ASTORS’ Award Winner
- MassAlert Advanced Software Program
- Best Mass Notification/Siren System
In addition to being the Platinum Award Winner for Best Mass Notification/Siren System, ATI Systems was honored with a 2017 Platinum ‘ASTORS’ Excellence in Homeland Security for ATI’s Commitment to Leadership & Innovation, from American Security Today.
AST focuses on Homeland Security and Public Safety Breaking News, the Newest Initiatives and Hottest Technologies in Physical & IT Security, essential to meeting today’s growing security challenges.
The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of Physical, IT, Port Security, Law Enforcement, Border Security, First Responders, (Fire, EMT, Military, Support Services Vets, SBA, Medical Tech) as well as the Federal, State, County and Municipal Government Agencies – to acknowledge their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
As an ‘ASTORS’ competitor, ATI Systems will be competing against the industry’s leading providers of Innovative Mass Notification Systems.
To Learn More about the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, see 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners Honored at ISC East.
Over 100 distinguished guests from National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Executives from companies allied to Government, gathered from across North America and the Middle East to be honored from disciplines across the Security Industry in their respective fields which included representatives from:
The Department of Homeland Security- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- The Department of Justice
- The Security Exchange Commission
- State and Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Leaders in Private Security
