SDS & Mutualink Partner for Rapid Response in Active Shooter Incidents

The Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection System is certified by US and UK Government authorities and trusted by customers in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, Fortune 1000 corporations, public venues, and state and federal government agencies, and other private and public venues across the globe.
The Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection System is certified by US and UK Government authorities and trusted by customers in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, Fortune 1000 corporations, public venues, and state and federal government agencies, and other private and public venues across the globe.

Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), a former ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winner, and Mutualink, have joined forces in a new technology integration between SDS’s Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection System and Mutualink’s Interoperability Platform to rapidly disseminate critical information and improve situational awareness for first responders during active shooter incidents.

Active shooter incidents have exposed critical gaps in emergency communications between incident locations and the local law enforcement agencies responding to them in schools, workplaces and public venues.

The Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection System is certified by US and UK Government authorities and trusted by customers in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, Fortune 1000 corporations, public venues, and state and federal government agencies, and other private and public venues across the globe.
The Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection System is certified by US and UK Government authorities and trusted by customers in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, Fortune 1000 corporations, public venues, and state and federal government agencies, and other private and public venues across the globe.

SDS and Mutualink’s new initiative is intended to bridge this gap by instantly opening communication lines between incident locations and law enforcement that will provide first responders with real-time situational awareness for a more rapid and informed response, aimed to save lives in active shooter events.

Built upon sniper detection technology used by the U.S. military in conflicts around the globe, Guardian combines proprietary acoustic gunshot detection algorithms and infrared sensors to detect gunshots within indoor environments.

(Learn about SDS’s Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection System, its Government Certifications for performance, and see many of the integrations with security systems which includes leading Video, Access Control, and Mass Notification Systems plus additional, flexible options to broadcast shot notifications via PA Systems, Digital Security Radio, Emergency Lighting, and Alarm Systems. Courtesy of Shooter Detection Systems and YouTube. Posted on Apr 5, 2019.)

This dual-mode technology unique to the SDS’s Guardian System, detects 100% of indoor gunshots with zero false alerts, as per extensive performance testing conducted by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure in the United Kingdom.

The Guardian System is used by K-12 schools, colleges and universities, Fortune 1000 corporations, public venues, and state and federal government agencies.

Guardian simultaneously detects gunfire and immediately relays this information via floor plan map with shot location, text, e-mail, and other notification pathways to key personnel and building occupants, with no human interpretation required.

With a similar customer base, Mutualink’s business is rapid multimedia communication enablement.

When time saved means lives saved, Mutualink helps first responders resolve incidents more quickly through expedited, effective radio and real-time video collaboration.

With a simple drag-and-drop interface, dispatchers, security officers and law enforcement personnel can quickly create radio and video bridges, enhancing response through fast coordination and enhanced situational awareness.

Building occupants are instantly alerted to the presence and location of gunshots, in locations utilizing the Guardian System, allowing them to make informed, critical decisions to empower them to help save their own lives.

(Learn how you can improve your communications through interoperability. Hear from public safety, school and private security experts tell their stories. Courtesy of Mutualink and YouTube. Posted on Oct 2, 2018.)

When combined with Mutualink, the integration instantly activates a collaboration session with law enforcement communications systems when an active shooter is detected.

The Guardian-Mutualink solution will now:

  • Automate law enforcement communication with onsite security upon the detection of gunshots

  • Deliver real-time situational awareness of the incident by radio, video and text for rapid, informed response

This new joint integration allows Guardian customers to choose to establish a communications bridge with law enforcement on the Mutualink system upon gunshot detections.

The potential for privacy concerns over information sharing between private and public entities is mitigated, as each entity maintains sovereign control over their communications.

Information can also be shared on an ad hoc basis.

Christian Connors, SDS CEO accepting the company's 2017 'ASTORS' Award from Mike Madsen, AST Publisher, at ISC East.
Christian Connors, SDS CEO accepting the company’s 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Award from Mike Madsen, AST Publisher, at ISC East.

“Since 2014 we’ve been delivering our customers a critical missing piece to their active shooter response plans with gunshot detection solutions that communicate immediate, lifesaving information in under one second to building occupants,” explains SDS CEO Christian Connors.

“Recent active shooter events have emphasized the need to take our mission one step further and integrate with leading public safety technology providers like Mutualink so communities can prioritize information sharing with law enforcement in real-time to save lives during active shooter incidents.”

“SDS views the Mutualink connection to local and federal law enforcement as a major step in alleviating the public to private communication barrier.”

This new technology integration joins two proven DHS SAFETY Act Certified technologies that instantly intersect communications during active shooter incidents with an integrated suite of onsite gunshot monitoring with mass notification, law enforcement radio, video and data collaboration between the incident location and law enforcement.

Mark Hatten, Mutualink CEO
Mark Hatten, Mutualink CEO

“Mutualink is honored to be working with Shooter Detection Systems. We feel proud that the combination of technologies offers schools, convention centers and other public and private entities a platform for mitigating threats to their stakeholders,” Mark Hatten, Mutualink CEO, said.

“The public deserves technologies that will keep them safe. And the truth is, first responders will also be safer when they have better, faster information about the incidents they are charged with resolving.”

Early Bird Nominations Now Open for 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland SecurityAwards

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.

William "Bill" Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), the Boston Police Department (BPD) and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), will speak at the 2019 'ASTORS' Homeland Security Awards Luncheon at ISC East 2019, on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (Courtesy of Teneo Risk)
Bill Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), the Boston Police Department (BPD) and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), will speak at the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon at ISC East 2019, on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (Courtesy of Teneo Risk)

The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!

Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

  • The Department of Homeland Security
  • The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
  • Argonne National Laboratory
  • The Department of Homeland Security
  • The Department of Justice
  • The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!

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.

The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by ATI SystemsAttivo NetworksAutomatic SystemsDesktop Alertand Royal Holdings Technologies.

Early Bird Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland SecurityAwards at

 https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

AST-Image-of-Eagle-and-Flag-resized-2

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!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

2018 Champions Edition

See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’

Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!

And be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!

2018 'ASTORS' Homeland Security Awards Presentation Luncheon
2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Presentation Luncheon

Why the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?

American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’

Why American Security Today?

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 70,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.

Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.

The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing 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.

These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.

AST has Expanded readership into vital 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 – enticing targets for extremist or lone wolf attacks due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

As a leading provider of gunshot detection technology, Shooter Detection Systems is focused on saving lives through the use of proven, military-grade technology designed by the world’s foremost scientists.

Shooter Detection Systems logo

Developed in conjunction with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winner, and a major defense contractor, SDS’ gunshot detection systems are SAFETY Act Certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Approved for U.K. government use by the Centre for the Protection of Critical Infrastructure (CPNI), and SL4 Certified by the Australian Government’s Security Construction & Equipment Committee (SCEC).