ONVIF, a leading global standardization initiative for IP-based physical security products, announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S.-based Security Industry Association (SIA), signaling cooperation toward the further development of IP-based interoperability standards in access control.

Both ONVIF and SIA’s Standards Committee have been working toward standardized interfaces for Physical Access Control Systems (PACS). ONVIF’s Profile C is for interoperability between PACS panels and other network-based security management systems. SIA’s Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) standard concentrates on addressing interoperability between peripheral devices, such as card readers and security control panels. Since OSDP is based on the RS-484 standard for point-to-point serial connections, with a planned expansion to a networked version using IP protocols, the two groups are formally recognizing the opportunity for collaboration and harmonization between their respective initiatives.

“Both SIA and ONVIF recognize that our respective access control efforts to date are quite complementary, in that we have been approaching the goal of access control standards from two different angles, ONVIF at the system level and SIA more targeted between peripheral devices,” said Per Björkdahl, Chairman of ONVIF’s Steering Committee. “We anticipate that our mutual support and collaboration will result in a more comprehensive outcome that provides greater benefits to the industry.”

As part of the relationship, ONVIF will provide support to SIA’s OSDP IP extension initiative, while SIA will provide education to its membership and industry stakeholders of Profile C and ONVIF’s other PACS activities. Each group will appoint an official representative to liaise with the other group for the purposes of increased information sharing and collaboration.

“IP-based communications have become the recognized communications framework within access control as well as the physical security industry as a whole,” said Joseph Gittens, Director, SIA Standards Committee. “SIA is pleased to be collaborating with ONVIF in this next phase of its OSDP development.”

For information, visit www.onvif.org or www.siaonline.org.