Deborah L. O'Mara

Freelance Writer

Deborah L. O’Mara is a journalist with more than two decades experience writing about security, life safety and systems integration, and she is the managing director of DLO Communications in Chicago. She can be reached at dlocommunications@gmail.com or 773.414.3573.

Craft a Superior Solution

Deborah L. O'Mara

The profile of the customer has changed significantly over the last several years. Consumers want an “experience” from technology and service providers that delivers more than parts and pieces. They expect a seamless...

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Your Business

Jan 2020

Users Chime in on Ring’s Privacy Issues in Class-Action Lawsuits

Deborah L. O'Mara

Who’s to blame in the Ring privacy breaches and subsequent lawsuits filed late 2019 and early 2020 against owner Amazon? Plaintiffs point the finger at potentially insecure Ring devices, while the maker’s defense is customers...

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Integrated Systems

Dec 2019

Ban on Chinese-Made Cameras Has Broad Implications

Deborah L. O'Mara

The recently updated U.S. government ‘trade blacklist’ of Chinese companies could ultimately have a widespread effect on future development of cameras, artificial intelligence (AI) and facial recognition technology for the...

Integrated Systems

Dec 2019

Running with the Bull Market: Physical Security

Deborah L. O'Mara

The physical security industry is running hard and fast in the in security bull market—and all signs point to continued, steady growth. According to Imperial Capital, Los Angeles, a full-service investment banking firm...

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Integrated Systems

Nov 2019

California to Debut First loT Law

Deborah L. O'Mara

When California rings in 2020, it will become the first state with legislation covering internet of things (loT) devices. Signed into law in September 2019, SB-327 Information Privacy: Connected Devices, was enacted in...

Integrated Systems

Nov 2019

Facing the Future

Deborah L. O'Mara

It’s been a bumpy ride in the implementation of biometrics, specifically facial recognition. Technology has matured in reliability from advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning algorithms and faster...

Integrated Systems

Nov 2019

Bringing Access Under Control

Deborah L. O'Mara

You’ve probably come across this bidding an access control specification: an existing infrastructure that includes numerous manufacturers’ panels, readers and other components—disparate systems that made their way into the...

Integrated Systems

Oct 2019

A New Type of Cloud: Exploring this technology tool for new services

Deborah L. O'Mara

The world is changing. Electrical contractors have real opportunities on the horizon beyond cabling, lighting and traditional connectivity. They need to look past their current project mindset and get involved in new and...

Integrated Systems

Sep 2019

Facial Recognition Growing Fast Despite Privacy Concerns

Deborah L. O'Mara

It’s been a bumpy ride in the implementation of biometrics, specifically facial recognition. While the technology has matured in reliability from advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning algorithms and...

Integrated Systems

Sep 2019

Learning Deeply

Deborah L. O'Mara

Artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning and machine learning are now common buzzwords used across numerous disciplines and vertical markets. But what’s the reality as far as its current applicability in physical security...

Security Focus

Aug 2019

Cybersecurity Not Optional: Electrical Contractors Need Additional Skills to Provide Safe Solutions

Deborah L. O'Mara

Cybersecurity concerns have permeated society with incidents of malicious threats, data loss and stolen information—a trend that cannot be ignored with the growing connected environment and internet of things (loT). For those...

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Integrated Systems

Jul 2019

Systems Integration Comes to Gunshot Detection

Deborah L. O'Mara

Gunshot detection technology designed to prevent and minimize the growing crisis of active shooter events in the United States is becoming more reliable, sophisticated and integrated with other security technologies in a...

Gunshot Detection Image by OpenClipart-Vectors, Rick pending, Gerd Altmann from Pixabay