// PHYSICAL SECURITY · GENETEC SECURITY CENTER · HANS STUDY
Genetec Security Center, independent of the sale
Every Genetec page on this site, in one place. If you own or run a Security Center system, start with the services and the self-audit. If you install, integrate, or support one, the field writing and the knowledge base are the reference. Hans Study has no partnership or reseller agreement with Genetec and takes no licence margin, so the advice does not depend on what gets sold. The independence policy sets out the details.
Services
For an owner, an IT lead, or a security manager with a Security Center system to keep running.
Genetec Security Center consulting
Architecture review, server and storage sizing, Synergis access control design, federation design, hardening, and post-deployment troubleshooting. Not a reseller, not an integrator, and no licence revenue.
Genetec health check
A structured assessment of a running Security Center environment across architecture, servers, storage, network, monitoring, security, cameras, integrations, and lifecycle, ending in a prioritized remediation plan.
VMS server hardening
Hardening for the Windows Server host a Security Center role runs on, against a published baseline, with antivirus exclusions and patching set correctly.
Upgrades and migrations
Supported upgrade routes to Security Center 5.14, which versions need a two-step hop through 5.11, and the sequencing that keeps Archivers, federated systems, and SDK integrations working across the move.
Remote delivery via the DHD, a remote access device.
Check it yourself first
Both tools follow the structure of the Health Check engagement. Work through either one before a call, or on your own.
Genetec health audit
Self-assessment for a Security Center deployment. 92 checks in 10 sections, scored with critical findings first, with field notes per question and PDF export. Runs in the browser.
Genetec health check checklist
The same 10 areas the Health Check covers, as an interactive checklist. Mark progress, take notes, and save as PDF. Progress stays in your browser.
Field writing
For integrators and engineers. 12 articles on Security Center architecture, servers, SQL Server, storage, hardening, and releases, newest first. All posts filed under Genetec are also at the Genetec category.
Genetec vs Milestone vs Avigilon for Enterprise Multi-Site: An Opinionated Comparison From the Field
Where each platform actually wins on multi-site enterprise deployments: unification versus openness versus integration, licensing shape, federation, analytics, hardening…
Upgrading to Genetec Security Center 5.14: The Runbook, the Order of Operations, and What Breaks
The upgrade night itself: pre-flight checks, the order roles and clients go in, the Web Client retirement, the 64-bit media component, SDK plugins and federation, the…
Genetec Archiver Storage and Retention: The Maths, the Disks, and Where Archivers Actually Fall Over
Retention arithmetic that survives contact with real bitrates, throughput per Archiver and per volume, RAID and drive selection, iSCSI versus SMB, and the failure modes…
SQL Server for Genetec Security Center: Sizing, Maintenance, and the Failures That Follow Neglect
Express versus Standard, max server memory, recovery models, autogrowth, index maintenance, event retention, and the SQL failures that take Security Center down.
Hardening Genetec Security Center: The Baseline I Deploy
A practical hardening baseline for a Genetec Security Center deployment. Windows server baselines, Defender exclusions done right, service-account discipline, SQL…
Genetec Security Center 5.9 Is End of Life
Security Center 5.9 stopped getting security patches in December 2025. What end of life actually means for operators, and how to plan the move before somebody else picks…
The 10 Most Common Genetec Security Center Issues I See (And How to Fix Them)
The ten Genetec Security Center problems I see most often in the field, what they look like under load, and how to fix them. Field-tested, vendor-agnostic.
Genetec Security Center 5.13.3.0: What's New, What Actually Matters, and What We're Still Waiting For
Field-level look at Genetec Security Center 5.13.3.0 (May 2026). What changed since 5.13.2.0, which features are worth the upgrade, which are marketing fluff, and the…
Genetec Security Center 5.14.0.0: What's Coming, What's Already Here, and Why I'm Still Telling Clients to Wait
Security Center 5.14.0.0 released on May 12, 2026. Web App replaces Web Client, custom privilege templates land, the media component goes 64-bit, and HID VertX/Edge gets…
Genetec Security Center: Server Configuration and Performance Tuning
Power plan, NIC buffers, SQL Server memory, antivirus exclusions, video drive configuration, and camera stream settings for Genetec servers.
Deploying Active Directory for Genetec Security Center Environments
AD prerequisites, OU structure, service accounts, Group Policy, Kerberos configuration, and common pitfalls for Genetec AD integration.
Genetec Security Center: Architecture, Roles, and Workstation Best Practices
Genetec Security Center server role architecture, sizing guidance, workstation optimization, federation, and common design mistakes.
Knowledge base
Reference entries with Genetec-specific settings or guidance: antivirus exclusions, Windows Server and workstation hardening, and the access control and video chapters of the Canadian Security Install Reference.
- Access Control Head-End Design and Installation Access control head-end design for Canadian institutional installs. Platform selection, server sizing, Mercury hardware, HID Aero, Software…
- Antivirus Exclusions for VMS: Genetec, Milestone, Axis Why real-time scanning breaks video recording, the exclusion lists for Genetec, Milestone, Avigilon, and Axis Camera Station, how to apply…
- CCTV and Video System Cabling and Pathways Video surveillance for Canadian institutional installs. Camera type by application, resolution and PPF/PPM, lens selection, mounting heights…
- Hardening Windows Server: Getting Started Baseline Windows Server hardening: update management, roles audit, local accounts, Windows Firewall, services, NTP, PowerShell logging, and…
- Hardening Windows Server with Group Policy GPO structure, password policy, Kerberos, NTLM restriction, Advanced Audit Policy, Defender, SMBv1 removal, and LAPS via Group Policy.
- Hardening Windows Server 2025 for Security Systems SMB signing on by default, NTLM blocking available, Credential Guard on by default for domain members, LAPS built in, delegated managed…
- Security System Hardening Guide for Integrators End-to-end hardening reference for physical security network infrastructure. Switches, servers, workstations, cameras, access control…
Case studies
Engagements with Security Center in scope. Clients are described by sector and scale, never by name.
Genetec upgrade and platform rebuild across a three-site estate
Public institution · CanadaA supported, redundant, hardened platform with the three sites operating as one system, and an SOC with automations doing the work the operators used to do by…
Access control stabilization and a full core network rebuild across a multi-tower complex
Commercial real estate · CanadaThe elevator integration and memory faults resolved at the cause, and a complex that no longer loses access control across every tower because one instance had…
Genetec upgrade and multi-terminal stabilization at an international airport
Aviation · CanadaA stabilized platform across multiple stakeholder organizations in an environment where an outage is not an option, plus integrated capability those teams did…
Security, traffic control, and message-sign infrastructure unified on one platform
Transportation · Traffic infrastructureOne platform running security, traffic ramps, and the site-wide message sign infrastructure together, operated from one place.
Mission-critical Genetec upgrade behind a live traffic operations video wall
Transportation · Traffic operations centreThe centre came through the version upgrade with the wall and every feed working the way operators expect.
Tell me what the system looks like
The Security Center version, the number of servers and sites, and the approximate camera and door count are enough for a first conversation. For a running system, the Health Check is the structured place to begin. For design, upgrade, or troubleshooting work, send a note.