News and field notes
Company news, project announcements and practical writing from the engineers who specify, install and support infrastructure for organisations across the UAE.
28 articles 5 topics
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Workplace
Open source cuts licence fees, but migration, training, support and integration have their own costs, and macros, layout, Arabic fonts and device management are what break first. How to read a licence, price a…
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AI
The PDPL lets personal data leave the UAE under set conditions; health data and bank records face stricter rules, and the DIFC and ADGM run…
Security
The 3-2-1 backup rule, plus the two additions ransomware made necessary: one immutable or offline copy and zero errors in restore tests…
Security
Cameras, recorders and door controllers belong on their own network behind a firewall, with no ports forwarded from the internet, VPN-only…
Security
Can you record staff and customers on CCTV in the UAE? Yes, within limits. What the Crimes and Penalties Law, the cybercrime law, the PDPL…
Security
Face recognition is quicker at the door, every user touches a fingerprint sensor, and 125 kHz cards can be copied. Card, PIN, fingerprint…
Security
Hikvision and Dahua both sell tiered IP cameras, NVRs and their own VMS, with AI analytics and up to 60 months of warranty on upper series…
Infrastructure
Single-mode (OS2) between buildings and on runs beyond multimode reach, multimode (OM4) inside buildings and data rooms. Reach at 10, 40…
Security
Dubai's 2025 Preventive Systems Manual sets SIRA's CCTV minimums: colour 1080p cameras, 110 dB WDR facing light, 25 fps live view…
Networks
A PoE class reserves up to 90 W at the switch port, while named cameras, Wi-Fi 7 access points and AV panels draw 6.5 to 48 W. Classes…
Field notes
One email when there is something worth reading: a standard that changed, a failure mode worth avoiding, a project worth describing. Nothing else.
