Dahua AI boosts security for Ashton International College

Residential Security Handbook 2021: SMART Estate Living Access Control & Identity Management

With the current pandemic crisis, ever-increasing threat of infection as well as security related issues experienced all over the world, the implementation of Ashton International College’s Safe School Initiative could not have come at a better time.

Based on these challenges faced by Ashton International College, Dahua Technology developed an AI-based advanced Smart Campus Solution featuring face recognition, temperature monitoring, active deterrence, ANPR, time and attendance, etc., for the customer. This solution was designed and deployed around the college campus in Ballito by Dahua’s local partner, Blackstorm Africa and its projects team.

As part of Ashton International College’s Safe School Initiative, the project aims to boost the campus security and create a safe and pleasant environment for students and teachers. To achieve this, the innovative Dahua TiOC camera that features active deterrence, real-time alarm, full colour and accurate alarm functions, was used in key areas to deter any suspicious individuals from entering the school grounds after school hours.



Even in dense fog and heavy rain, the camera’s red and blue light, together with a wailing siren or recorded voice audio, can effectively warn off suspicious people near restricted areas. At the same time, the camera provides alarm notifications in real time through the app, allowing security staff to respond in time using intelligent functions such as two-way talk. Moreover, the camera’s full-colour performance offers clear colour images at night to aid identification of possible suspects.

For access control, Dahua Temperature Monitoring Access Control (TMAC) equipment was installed at various entrances on the campus, enabling quick and contactless registration of each student and teacher via face recognition. In addition to automatic time and attendance, the system also provides a non-invasive way to monitor elevated skin temperature of people entering and leaving the college campus.

To strengthen vehicle management, Dahua Technology’s ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology was deployed and linked live to Blackstorm Africa’s control room. This enables security personnel to get instant alerts of any blacklisted or stolen vehicles that may enter the campus.

As part of Dahua’s WizMind solution, the AI NVR5216-8P-I provides reliable and comprehensive artificial intelligence solutions and allows for facial recognition, perimeter protection, SMD plus, blacklist alarms and video metadata. In addition, all front-end cameras and devices are connected to the DSS central platform that offers people flow control and generates attendance reports to improve management efficiency.

Good results achieved

Blackstorm Africa, with the Dahua Smart Campus Solution, has fostered the effective implementation of Ashton International College’s Safe School Initiative, helping it achieve 24/7 complete, proactive onsite and offsite monitoring of its campus using a variety of advanced security applications. Instead of relying only on recorded reactive videos as evidence after an event, the TiOC makes it possible to respond during the event with its active deterrence, full-colour and real-time alarm functions that can significantly help prevent criminal events from happening.

Monitoring resources for time and attendance of staff have been reduced and classroom roll call has become a thing of the past, as each student is automatically registered as they walk onto the campus. Temperature monitoring devices accurately detect abnormal temperatures of students and staff entering the campus, thus providing an additional layer of protection inside the school premises.

“In response to the pandemic in South Africa, Ashton International College Ballito embarked on our Safe School Initiative as the safety of students and teachers is always our first concern,” said Joe Erasmus, managing director of Ashton International College Ballito.

“The solution assisted us in implementing a temperature monitoring system that gives us the ability to automatically monitor our students’ and staff’s temperatures quickly and effectively as they arrive at school, reducing long lines and waiting times for entry, thus allowing us to strengthen the protection for our students and employees. It has also assisted us in enabling heightened security protocols, allowing us to monitor who is authorised to enter our campus and who is not.”

“Embarking on our Safe School Initiative, we have upgraded our security solutions with Blackstorm Africa and Dahua Technology’s AI solutions that allow us to monitor security related issues on- and off-site. The system instantly alerts our management and security regarding any potential threats, which simplifies our security operation, improves management efficiency and creates a proactive security protocol,” Erasmus added.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Paxton set to launch game-changing new system
Paxton Access Control & Identity Management News & Events
Access control is evolving fast. Installers and end users are looking for systems that are simple to install, easy to manage remotely, and flexible enough to scale. In response, Paxton is exploring how emerging technologies can reshape access control.

Read more...
NEC XON secures mobile provider’s hybrid identities
NEC XON Access Control & Identity Management Information Security Commercial (Industry)
For a leading South African telecommunications operator, identity protection has become a strategic priority as identity-centric attacks proliferate across the industry. The company faced mounting pressure to secure both human and non-human identities across complex hybrid environments.

Read more...
Cloud security in visitor management and access control
SA Technologies Access Control & Identity Management Infrastructure Residential Estate (Industry) Commercial (Industry)
Cloud has become the default platform for modern security operations, from visitor management portals and remote access control to incident logging, reporting, analytics, and integrations. But “in the cloud” does not mean “someone else is securing it for us”.

Read more...
Centurion raises the bar at HomeSec Expo
Centurion Systems News & Events Access Control & Identity Management Residential Estate (Industry) Smart Home Automation Commercial (Industry)
Centurion Systems unveiled its latest product lines at HomeSec Expo 2026, introducing SMART+, a simpler way for installers and end users to manage their Centurion installations - as well as a few new products.

Read more...
What’s in store for PAM and IAM?
Access Control & Identity Management Information Security
Leostream predicts changes in Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) in the coming year, driven by evolving cybersecurity realities, hybridisation, AI, and more.

Read more...
Protecting citizens’ identities: a shared responsibility
Access Control & Identity Management
A blind spot in identity authentication today is still physical identity documents. Identity cards, passports, and driver’s licences, biometric or not, are broken, forged, or misused, fueling global trafficking networks and undermining public trust in institutions.

Read more...
The challenges of cybersecurity in access control
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Access Control & Identity Management Information Security
SMART Security Solutions summarises the key points dealing with modern cyber risks facing access control systems, from Mercury Security’s white paper “Meeting the Challenges of Cybersecurity in Access Control: A Future-Ready Approach.”

Read more...
Access as a Service is inevitable
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions ATG Digital Access Control & Identity Management Infrastructure
When it comes to Access Control as a Service (ACaaS), most organisations (roughly 90% internationally) plan to move, or are in the process of moving to the cloud, but the majority of existing infrastructure (about 70%) remains on-premises for now.

Read more...
From surveillance to insight across Africa
neaMetrics TRASSIR - neaMetrics Distribution Access Control & Identity Management Surveillance Products & Solutions
TRASSIR is a global developer of intelligent video management and analytics solutions, delivering AI-driven platforms that enable organisations to monitor, analyse, and respond to events across complex physical environments.

Read more...
Securing your access hardware and software
SMART Security Solutions Technews Publishing RBH Access Technologies Access Control & Identity Management Information Security
Securing access control technology is critical for physical and digital security. Every interaction between readers, controllers, and host systems creates a potential attack point for those with nefarious intent.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.