Glossary

Security, in plain English.

Name: Lunarlink Solutions Inc.
Address: Toronto, ON, CA
Telephone: +16476702220
Price range: $$-$$$

A working vocabulary for facilities leaders, IT directors, and owners — so every spec sheet and proposal reads the same way.

ONVIF Open Network Video Interface Forum: Vendor-neutral standard that lets IP cameras, NVRs, and video management systems speak to each other. An ONVIF-compliant camera can (in theory) be swapped into another ONVIF-compliant platform without re-cabling.
PoE / PoE+ / PoE++ Power over Ethernet: Powering a device over its Ethernet cable instead of a separate AC outlet. PoE delivers ~15W, PoE+ up to ~30W, PoE++ up to ~90W — enough for PTZ cameras, heaters, and some intercoms.
OSDP Open Supervised Device Protocol: Modern encrypted replacement for the legacy Wiegand protocol used between access-control readers and controllers. Supports bidirectional communication and tamper detection.
Wiegand Legacy reader protocol: A one-way, unencrypted protocol that still dominates older access-control installs. Readable with cheap tools — a common reason to migrate to OSDP.
VLAN Virtual LAN: A logical network segment on top of shared physical switches. Security devices should sit on their own VLAN, isolated from corporate and guest traffic.
LPR License plate recognition: Video analytic that reads and indexes vehicle plates at gates, docks, and parking areas. Needs correct framing, speed, and lighting to perform reliably.
NVR Network video recorder: Appliance that records IP camera streams locally. Modern deployments pair an NVR with cloud archive rather than running either alone.
VMS Video management system: Software that manages live view, playback, permissions, and analytics across a camera fleet. Genetec, Avigilon, Milestone, and Verkada are common platforms.
PHIPA Personal Health Information Protection Act: Ontario's health privacy law. Governs what clinical cameras can see, how long footage is retained, and who can view it. Privacy zones and audit logs are how systems stay compliant.
PIPEDA Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act: Federal Canadian privacy law applicable to most commercial organizations. Shapes retention, consent, and disclosure obligations for video and access data.
Privacy zone Masked region of a camera view: A configured area of a camera's field of view that is permanently blacked out in recording and live feed — used over windows, neighbouring property, and clinical zones.
Dual-custody Two-person access rule: An access-control rule that requires two independently credentialed people to be present before a door will unlock. Standard for vaults, cannabis storage, and high-risk records.
Anti-passback No sharing rule: An access rule that prevents the same credential from being used to enter twice without an intervening exit. Blocks the "badge a friend in" pattern.
Tailgating Following through a door: When an unauthorized person follows an authorized badge-holder through a door. Detected with analytics, turnstiles, or mantrap designs.
Central station 24/7 alarm monitoring: A ULC-listed facility that receives alarm signals, verifies events, and dispatches response. Most insurance-backed alarm systems require one.
ULC Underwriters Laboratories of Canada: Certification body that sets standards for alarm-monitoring stations and fire/security equipment used in Canada.
Cat6 / Cat6A Structured copper cabling: Standard twisted-pair categories for gigabit and 10-gigabit Ethernet. Cat6A adds better shielding and is the default for new commercial builds.
mmWave sensor Millimeter-wave presence detection: Radar-based occupancy sensor that detects presence (and sometimes motion direction) without capturing identifying imagery — favoured where cameras would be inappropriate.