Verkada Product Release- Enhanced Cutting Edge Tools

At Unified Security Partners, we’re focused on providing modern building security solutions to businesses and organizations across a number of industries. To ensure we always bring our clients the most cutting-edge solutions, we pay close attention to companies driving innovation. Verkada’s latest product release stands out as one of its most powerful yet, offering smarter surveillance, streamlined access control, intelligent alarm automation, and enhanced visitor management— let’s dive right in.

CY53-E Multisensor Camera: Dual Coverage with One Installation Point

In our opinion, the highlight of this release is the CY53-E Multisensor camera: a two-lens camera that delivers bidirectional coverage from a single mounting point. This design is ideal for maximizing visibility in high-traffic areas such as hallways, corners, and intersections, where broad-yet-efficient surveillance is essential. By combining wide-angle coverage with a simplified installation process, it reduces hardware needs, lowers licensing costs and saves on deployment time.

Verkada CY53-E Multisensor Camera

Stronger, Smarter Access Control

Verkada’s access control system now includes deeper filtering and configuration tools. Admins can manage users more precisely with over 20 filterable attributes and configure multiple doors at once with new bulk-editing capabilities. The updated Verkada Pass app, now available on Android and iOS, prioritizes commonly used doors at the top of the interface. 

Alarms That Respond Proactively

With the new update, alarms are more intelligent and more responsive. Organizations with Verkada Access Control can now set alarms for events like a door being forced or held open without the need for extra sensors or wiring, and PTZ cameras can be configured to trigger an alarm when a person is detected in the frame. Verkada has also introduced the BZ32 Siren Strobe, usable both indoors and outdoors with wired or wireless setups; and users can trigger automated messages of an uploaded recording, or use AI text-to-speech to deliver messages in a human-like voice with BZ11 horn speakers. Real-time system health alerts will notify teams about backup power failures, offline devices, or wiring issues to boost reliability and reduce manual checks, while alarm system changes will be captured in Command audit logs to provide admins with a digital trail of user actions. All wireless hub devices (BP52, BE32, BK22, WH52, and WH32 in hub mode) now support up to 160 wireless sensors.

Intercom is also receiving a few updates: license plates detected during intercom calls will now be integrated into the call receiving and call history experience, and users will be able to route intercom directly to local 911 providers. Firmware updates will no longer be pushed automatically, instead allowing organizations to schedule them during a specific time window. 

Mission-Ready AI Surveillance

Verkada’s video surveillance platform has grown significantly more powerful with AI upgrades. Teams can now build Smart Lists to monitor unauthorized individuals in sensitive areas, while custom People Lists allow role-based access with distinct viewing and managing permissions. The platform is also more secure and compliant, with FIPS-validated hardware, support for 802.1x authentication, and detailed privacy grid settings. It also offers support for Non-Verkada PTZ controls, like an Xbox controller or joystick, or controls within Command to manipulate non-Verkada PTZ cameras.

Command Platform: Simplified Control at Scale

Verkada’s Command platform has been redesigned for greater usability and speed. Navigation is now more intuitive, settings are easier to manage, and audit logs extend up to 90 days for better traceability. Alerts from Guest, Alarms, and Helix are now centralized in a single inbox, and SMS delivery has been upgraded with Twilio integration for enhanced reliability throughout North America ensuring operators are always in the loop.

Next-Level Visitor Management and Connectivity

The Guest platform has undergone several updates to streamline check-in and enhance compliance. Visitors can now be granted access via QR codes or unique entry codes, and enhanced identity verification better-validates authenticity by scanning both sides of a US-issued ID. PowerSchool integration (currently in beta) will enable automated two-way attendance data syncing for schools. Guest also now allows volunteers to upload documents and certifications during check-in, with customizable expiration controls for frequent visitors ensuring they are prompted to regularly update their personal information; and the Brother QL-820NWB label printer now supports two-tone badge printing, adding a polished touch to check-ins.

To deliver better uptime and security across large-scale deployments the GC31 and GC31-E Cellular Gateways are now supported in Command organizations on AWS GovCloud, while GW31-E Wi-Fi gateways can be connected to hidden network SSIDs, and organizations that regularly change Wi-Fi passwords can add new passwords in advance on their GW31-E gateways to prevent downtime.

Smarter Tools for Safer Spaces

Verkada’s May 2025 release isn’t just a set of new features—it’s a strategic leap forward in cloud-based physical security. Every update is designed to help organizations scale securely, streamline operations, and respond faster to threats. Here at Unified Security Partners, we can’t wait to integrate these capabilities into our clients’ smart security ecosystems, ensuring they stay ahead of evolving risks. Ready to upgrade your security strategy with cutting-edge solutions? Reach out today to schedule a consultation

Powerful Intrusion Deterrence

Fresh new release from Verkada’s blog:

Verkada Alarms gives organizations the ability to protect their people and property from immediate threats. In some cases that means automatically dispatching the police to respond to criminal activity. Unfortunately, with law enforcement resources stretched thin, it’s becoming easier for criminals to commit a crime and escape before the police can arrive. In many cases, an organization’s best response is deterrence measures that scare off intruders before they can do damage. While devices like sirens and strobe lights can be helpful, nothing is as effective as a live human voice.

BZ11 Horn Speaker for proactive security with live talk down functionality

Today, we’re excited to launch the BZ11 Horn Speaker, a powerful device that allows both users and professional monitoring agents to talk down to intruders from nearly anywhere via Verkada’s Command dashboard or mobile app.

Simple Setup and Configuration

The BZ11 speaker can be paired with one or more cameras in Command with a single click - no complex integrations or configurations required. A single speaker can be paired with multiple cameras in a given location, and a single camera can be tied to multiple speakers for broader coverage.

One-Click User Talk Down

If a user sees something suspicious on camera, they can simply click the talk icon on that camera feed and talk down through the associated speaker(s). If an organization does not have any cameras associated with a speaker, users can also talk down from the Devices page in Command. The BZ11 also has an integrated microphone to enable two-way communication. User talk down is available to all Verkada camera customers who purchase the BZ11, and does not require an LIC-BA Alarm License.

24/7 Coverage with Monitoring Agent Talk Down

Many organizations, however, don’t have dedicated staff watching camera feeds around the clock, and that’s where professional monitoring agents come in. If an alarm is triggered, a live agent will review the video footage and can talk down through the BZ11. Additional alarm responses, like requesting police dispatch, can follow.

Additionally, organizations can configure text-to-speech or pre-recorded messages to play through the speaker as an automated response if an alarm is triggered. Monitoring agent talk down and automated messages are available with the addition of an alarm license.

For more information about Verkada Alarms 24/7 monitoring with live talk-down, please contact us or call one of our expert at Cetra Secure to discuss in more detail. (808) 419-7122

Security Advantages of Hybrid Cloud Cameras

Hybrid cloud security cameras offer a number of security advantages over traditional security cameras. The main advantage of a hybrid cloud security camera system is that it combines the benefits of on-premises security cameras with the benefits of cloud-based security cameras. This creates a more robust and secure system that can better protect against potential threats.

1. Data security: With a hybrid cloud security camera system, the video footage is recorded both locally and in the cloud. This provides an added layer of security as the footage is stored in multiple locations, making it more difficult for potential attackers to access or destroy.

2. Remote access and monitoring: With a hybrid cloud security camera system, authorized personnel can view live video footage and access recorded footage from any location with an internet connection. This allows for more efficient monitoring and response to security incidents.

3. Scalability: Hybrid cloud security camera systems can be easily scaled to meet the changing needs of a business. This allows for the addition of new cameras or the expansion of the system to cover new areas without the need for significant capital investment.

4. Automatic updates: Cloud-based security cameras are regularly updated with the latest security features and patches. This ensures that the system stays up-to-date with the latest security standards and is better equipped to detect and respond to potential threats.

5. Cost-effective: Hybrid cloud security camera systems can be more cost-effective than traditional security camera systems as it reduces the need for expensive on-premises storage and hardware.

Verkada hybrid cloud security cameras offer a great solution for businesses looking to improve their security while also reducing cost and increasing flexibility. The combination of on-premises and cloud-based storage, remote access, and automatic updates provide a more secure and effective security camera solution. Contact us today for a live demo and to request your 30-day free trial camera to test drive.

The Importance of Investing in a New Security Camera and Alarm Monitoring System for Your Business

As a business owner, it's essential to ensure the safety and security of your employees, customers, and property. One way to accomplish this is by investing in a new security camera and alarm monitoring system. Here are some reasons why this investment is essential for your business.

1. Deterring Criminal Activity

The presence of security cameras and alarms serves as a deterrent to would-be criminals. The knowledge that their actions are being recorded and monitored can discourage criminal activity on your property. This can help to reduce the risk of vandalism, theft, and other types of criminal activity, ultimately protecting your business from financial losses.

1. Monitoring Activity

A new security camera and alarm monitoring system allows you to keep an eye on your property at all times, even when you're not there. With remote access to your cameras, you can check in on your business from anywhere, at any time. This can give you peace of mind, knowing that your property is being monitored and protected.

1. Improving Employee Safety

Your employees are your most valuable asset, and it's essential to ensure their safety while they're on the job. A new security camera and alarm monitoring system can help to improve employee safety by deterring criminal activity, as well as by providing a way to quickly respond to any incidents that do occur. This can help to create a safer and more secure work environment for your employees, which can boost morale and productivity.

1. Facilitating Investigations

In the event of a crime or other incident, the footage captured by your security cameras can be a valuable tool in investigating the incident. This can help to identify suspects, gather evidence, and assist law enforcement in their investigation. Having a clear and detailed record of the incident can also help to protect your business from false claims and liability.

1. Cost-Effective

While investing in a new security camera and alarm monitoring system may seem costly at first, it can ultimately save you money in the long run. By deterring criminal activity, reducing the risk of losses, and facilitating investigations, a new system can help to protect your business from financial losses. Additionally, many security companies offer monitoring services at a low monthly rate, making it more affordable to have your business under surveillance.

In conclusion, investing in a new security camera and alarm monitoring system is essential for any business. It offers a cost-effective way to deter criminal activity, monitor activity, improve employee safety, facilitate investigations, and ultimately protect your business from financial losses. So, if you're looking for a way to ensure the safety and security of your business, consider investing in a new Verkada security camera and alarm monitoring system.

Why Your NVR Is Less Secure than a Hybrid Cloud Video Solution

Video security systems have traditionally relied on a network video recorder (NVR) to capture footage. These devices, which serve as a central hub connecting an array of cameras, have long been billed as a highly secure system.

Although this reputation persists, it is largely unearned. NVRs, as well as digital video recorders (DVRs), are now routinely attacked and fail to provide anything close to the level of protection most IT professionals expect.

The “secure NVR” myth comes from the fact that an actual, air-gapped NVR is indeed incredibly secure. But this is less a function of specific equipment capabilities and more due to the fact that almost any device that is cut off from the wider network will be challenging for hackers to exploit.

NVRs: Only Secure in Theory

Unfortunately, few enterprises use NVRs in this manner. Most modern companies will want to have remote access to their footage. Whether for monitoring in real time at a central location or simply transferring archives of individual incidents, this is usually a must-have feature.

Some very small organizations may just want a single screen, or cluster of screens, for on-site viewing. But, by and large, even most small businesses—and especially larger corporations with multiple locations—will want a way to access what is being captured off site.

As soon as an NVR is connected to a network, vulnerabilities are introduced. Doing so requires opening or forwarding ports not to mention establishing a VPN, which are exploited by hackers all the time.

Attacks Are Common

In recent years, we have seen a trend of hackers targeting video cameras and NVRs. A NUUO brand NVR was targeted by the Reaper IoT Botnet in 2017, for example, and the exploit reportedly opened up the system’s cameras to similar botnet attacks.

This year, security research firm Tenable also found an exploit called Peekaboo that could affect the company’s NVRMini2 model. “Once exploited, Peekaboo would give cybercriminals access to the control management system, exposing the credentials for all connected video surveillance cameras,” wrote Tenable. “Using root access on the NVRMini2 device, cybercriminals could disconnect the live feeds and tamper with security footage.”

Disconcertingly, it isn’t just NVRs. Video cameras from certain manufacturers have proven unreliable as well. The U.S. Senate deemed the risk significant enough that it barred the federal government from using cameras from manufacturers Hikvision, Dahua and Hytera Technologies.

As codified in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, agencies are now prohibited from buying any surveillance equipment from these brands for the sake of “public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure and other national security purposes.”

Poor Vigilance, Slow Updates

The confusion between reputation and reality is another key reason that NVRs can actually be less secure than other options. Many veteran IT workers who may have started working with video surveillance decades ago have fallen for the this security fallacy. Consequently, they don’t practice the same level of vigilance that they would when working with a modern, cloud-based surveillance solution.

Less vigilance leads to slower reaction times. Blinded by this false sense of security, operators tend to be lax about detecting vulnerabilities and installing critical firmware updates.

In practice, this typically makes the alternative much more secure. Most IT departments have moved on from the notion that anything connected to the internet will ever be 100% secure. Instead, they recognize that some level of risk will always exist, prioritize quick reaction times to mitigate known exposures and continually look for new vulnerabilities.

Hybrid Cloud Advantages

While the traditional NVR option is falling out of favor among today’s security pros, for more than just security reasons, there are other options. Cloud-based alternatives, while once held back by security fears, are now being seen as having several differentiating advantages.

Learn more about hybrid cloud video surveillance in our next webinar

In the case of Verkada, for example, the company provides ongoing support for clients with its team of security experts and constant penetration testing. Given everything the company has at stake, it is much more likely to stay on top of vulnerabilities than any single organization’s IT team.

Moreover, Verkada’s cloud-based cameras use advanced, end-to-end encryption—at rest and in transit. Transport security is provided by TLS 1.2. As for stored video, each camera is associated with a unique RSA keypair. The cameras are issued a public key, which they use to encrypt video and the private key is encrypted with AWS KMS before being stored.

These cameras and have outbound-only connections, drastically reducing the possibility of any unauthorized users accessing the network. Video security solutions that are built with security in mind from the ground up, have significant advantages over NVRs.

When you put it all together, the rationale for using hybrid cloud systems becomes clear. While the public relations for NVRs can talk a good game, they ultimately cannot live up to their reputation.

If you are considering a new security camera solution, let’s chat. We can demo the latest in surveillance technology and show you how we can help elevate your businesses security posture.

Contributed by Verkada.com/blog