Virusight Diagnostic is a newly formed Joint Venture of Sheba Medical Center’s ARC Innovation Center & Newsight Imaging. The pilot is due to start at airports in the EU.

(Ramat Gan, Israel, September 22, 2020)– In a ground-breaking effort to keep international airports open and providing safe travel for both tourists and business executives in the COVID- 19 era, Virusight Diagnostic, a newly formed AI (Artificial Intelligence) healthcare venture between Sheba Medical Center’s ARC Innovation Center and Newsight Imaging, has signed a strategic LOI (letter of intent) for rapid screening of airline passengers with ICTS Europe, a leading security provider at major airports across the globe.

Virusight obtained the rights to use the SpectraLIT™, Newsight Imaging’s portable and accurate spectral analysis device, empowered by Virusight’s software solution combining Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. The method has been clinically proven at Sheba Medical Center, the largest hospital in Israel and the Middle East to identify viruses such as COVID-19 in seconds – using a simple oral mouth rinse. The company is now joining forces with ICTS Europe to implement the technology and screen thousands of passengers in airports worldwide.

ICTS Europe is an international group with over 30 years’ experience in providing security solutions to organisation within the Aviation, Public Transport, and Corporate sectors. ICTS operates in 23 countries, covering over 120 airports and 300 operation centers across Europe, North America, and the Far East.

The two companies agreed to start a set of supervised pilot programs at targeted airports in an attempt to release the world from the pandemic travel lockdown. Tests will be immediate, affordable and monitored, so that airports and airlines can optimize the level of safety by mitigating the risk of COVID-19 infection. Following the pilot’s completion and analysis, a wide deployment of the technology is expected in airports across ICTS Europe’s existing infrastructure, utilizing Virusight’s Imaging technology backed by ARC at Sheba Medical Center.

Oren Sapir, ICTS Europe’s President & CEO, commented, “Since the outbreak of COVID-19, ICTS Europe has played an important role in supporting the aviation community, by assisting with recovery via our Back in the Air initiative – a package of innovative solutions aimed at boosting confidence amongst passengers and stakeholders.

As travel restrictions are gradually lifted, innovation and technology will continue to be central to the industry’s recovery, and so we are proud and extremely pleased to join forces with Virusight to unveil SpectraLIT™ – a groundbreaking COVID-19 screening solution, powered by unique machine-learning and AI capabilities.”

Sapir added, “Thanks to its flexibility, SpectraLIT™ can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual airport, airline or any other organization who may be looking to integrate screening capabilities into its operations. SpectraLIT™ not only complements our existing range of solutions, but also has all the required components to become a key feature in our Back in the Air initiative. We chose Virusight due to its proven diagnostic track record. Combined with ICTS operational expertise, SpectraLIT™ is set to become the industry’s benchmark for passenger screening against COVID-19.”

Eli Assoolin, CEO of Newsight and Board Chairman at Virusight Diagnostic said, “We are very pleased to sign this important LOI with ICTS Europe, just a few weeks after we have formed our joint venture with Sheba Medical Center. Our solution for COVID-19 is currently in the process of receiving regulation approval and is ready for deployment in COVID-19 hot-spots such as airports. Our strategy is to enable a return to a normal lifestyle by selecting the best-in-class partners in each domain. ICTS Europe is a leader in their field, with wide-spread proven success and brilliant solutions which are currently already deployed in many places. The two companies will strive to cope with the challenge of mass screening of airline passengers, and we are keen on seeing the world of travel getting back to a normal routine.”

Dr. Eyal Zimlichman, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at Sheba Medical Center stated, “This agreement, is an important milestone for the company, digital health will transform healthcare and this is yet another example of leveraging AI technology to mitigate COVID-19. We formed ARC, our innovation model with the aim to accelerate innovation through redesign healthcare by collaborating with partners. This is an active example of the model at work.”

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With more than 16,000 employees worldwide, working in more than 120 airports in 23 countries, ICTS continues to work closely with its airport, airline, and high-end corporate clients, developing the next generation of responses to evolving security needs, emerging threats and changes in the operational landscape – a company committed to continuous innovation.

Contact via Udi.bechor@ictseurope.com.

About Virusight

Virusight is an AI software company, using unique spectral acquisition and analysis technology, for pathogenic diagnosis.

The company is developing revolutionary COVID-19 rapid tests, based on Newsight Imaging’s spectral technology while using a noninvasive oral rinse. The technology allows for an immediate, affordable, and portable solution, which will be able to identify other viruses in the near future.

Founded in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Virusight was created to develop an accurate, real-time virus diagnosis solution. The company is a result of mutual collaboration between Newsight Imaging and ARC at Sheba Medical Center, the largest hospital in Israel and the Middle East and recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Top 10 Best Hospitals in the World.

Contact via –Michal.Cooper@nstimg.com.

I would like to thank and commend everyone for all their hard work and continued dedication as we work our way through the ever-changing environment that we find ourselves in.

There has been so much activity in the Aviation Security world that I am only going to highlight a few items for each of our airport security contracts at YYZ, YYC and YSB.

Security Services at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

With the constant evolving challenges and requirements presented to us due to COVID-19. A.S.P. has continued to provide excellent service to the GTAA. Not only in the service we provide to our clients, but also how we train employees. We are now doing a combination of online and classroom training to ensure all of our valued employees are kept up to date with their training.

We at A.S.P. have supported the GTAA with a number of trials over the last few months, by providing this vital support to the GTAA it has enabled the GTAA to operate at an optimal level, giving the travelling passengers through GTAA the confidence that every step is being taken to ensure their safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance.

An example of this is our Specialist team who are ensuring that every passenger, employee and contractor comply with safety regulations and wear masks within the Terminals. Below we have an email from Bryan Scott, Associate Director – Security Operations commending the A.S.P. Specialist team on their efforts in carrying out this vital function.

Good afternoon Garinder, sending a quick note of thanks and appreciation to you and your team for the continued professional and positive service being provided. With the current and unprecedented environment, we find ourselves in, you and your team have maintained and exceeded the service level needed at Toronto Pearson.

As we, together in partnership, work in keeping everyone safe and secure at Pearson, we added a new level of health conditions. The additional health conditions are a vital part in keeping the airport operational and is the base for future rebuilding of the aviation industry. It is appreciated that when asked there was no hesitation in providing the necessary resources to assist in this endeavour. It was an unknown area, with unknown scenarios, and with the support of your organization we were able to implement appropriate and unprecedented measures to limit the health exposure to passengers and employees. The work to set the health practices in place has been recognized, most recently with Toronto Pearson Airport being the first Canadian airport to be accredited under the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation programme.

I have heard of reports and been part of many incidents of good and unfortunately not so good behaviour from the general public and our airport employee colleagues. It is appreciated of the continued professional and respectful manner that you and your team take when interacting with the sometimes-inappropriate behaviour of the few. It is also appreciated of the dedicated and consistent approach to advising and educating everyone on the needed health direction, as we continue to try and protect people, the airport and the industry.

Please pass along my thanks and appreciation to all who have and continue to help us through this time.

Thank you,
Bryan

Congratulations to Toronto Pearson Airport on being the first Canadian airport to be accredited under the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation program. All A.S.P. employees at Pearson Airport can feel proud for your contribution in this program.

Security Services at Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Firstly, I would like to congratulate our client Sherry Beard on being promoted to YYC’s Director of Security, Safety and Environment. We look forward to having a continued partnership with you for many years to come.

Secondly, congratulations to A.S.P.’s Daniel McCormack on his promotion to Quality Assurance Manager. Since taking over the role, Daniel has made a number of excellent improvements to the service we are delivering to YYC. One of these is modifying A.S.P. reports to replace YYC Incident Reports enabling YYC to receive regular occurrence updates that are identified by our security team at YYC.

There has been a number of client commendations for the A.S.P. Security Team at YYC over the summer. Samantha Johnson, Cam Schulte, Shannon Jacobson, Jaspreet Badesha and Derek Steman are a few I would like to mention. Thank you for your fantastic work and great service you are providing.

Security Services at Sudbury Regional Airport (YSB)

There has been a number of changes with the Service we are providing at Sudbury Airport.

Welcome to Dawn Larsen – Manager, Marketing, Communications & Customer Experience who has taken over as our client for the Greater Sudbury Airport.

In addition, A.S.P.’s Noman Butt, Client Support Manager, has taken over the management of the Security contract for A.S.P.

Protection of health, safety and well-being of employees and passengers is of utmost importance not only to the Greater Sudbury Airport, but is crucial to the service A.S.P. delivers to our clients. As such we have run a course on Security Operations and Customer Service with the A.S.P. team at GSA. It was a great training session with our client Dawn attending and providing some valuable insight. The focus and contribution from the team was over-whelming and is evident that the A.S.P. Security team are passionate about the work they undertake at GSA.

Over the last few years, the Residential and Commercial division has experienced a lot of change. This change has created a unique and special environment throughout the organization.

As I reflect on how we have grown and adapted to the change, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on our successes and learning opportunities. When I first started with A.S.P. Security (more than five years ago) the RES/CIC division was in a position of creating an identity and working towards creating a brand that would allow us to provide the specialized services that we wanted to our clients and our A.S.P. family members.

The last few years have seen immense growth and brand recognition. This is usually something that is looked at as success at a senior level, but I can truly say that this is not because of anything I have done, but is because of everything our A.S.P. family in the field and support team has done. Our team in the field is second to none and as I continue meeting new and veteran employees I am continually amazed by the passion, drive, and love for the organization you all have for making A.S.P. successful. Because of you, we have been able to have the success we have had.

During these tough and unprecedented times, I have seen people sacrifice so much and dedicate themselves to their positions to make sure that we continue serving our clients at the level they expect from A.S.P. This is a true testament to your character and work ethic.

2020 has been a very challenging year for the world and A.S.P. has not been isolated from these challenges; because of the work our A.S.P. family has done, we have been able to become even stronger and have been able to use our strength to get through these tough times.

We have a lot of projects on the go currently and I look at these as new positive challenges that I get to pursue with confidence, because of the concrete foundation that our team has built in the field and in the office. Our growth is truly because of the reputation that all of you have created for our organization and I cannot be any more humbled to be the person that gets to lead this amazing team into the next phase.

Some of the projects that you will see in the near future will be new vertical markets within the division, as well as technological updates and processes. Another great initiative our management team is doing is to create a strong succession planning with our A.S.P. family. This will allow us to continue identifying and growing our team members within for future growth and opportunities. If you have an interest in opportunities within the company, I encourage you to reach out to us and let us know.

Over the next several news articles, I will continue providing you with new and exciting things that are happening within the division. I look forward to the next phase of our evolution.

What an extraordinary team! On August 9, 2020, we received a wonderful note from our partners at Toronto Pearson International Airport, expressing their gratitude for an OSR team that truly went above and beyond!

A passenger arrived from Greece and collapsed at the bottom of the escalator leading into Terminal 1 Customs Hall. Without hesitation, Emirates crew jumped into action. After finding no vital signs, they started CPR compressions, while switching teams and supporting each other in counts and procedures.

At the same time, OSR Manager Harprit Kaur grabbed a defibrillator from the PIL (Primary Inspection Line), which was used to administer a shock. Once the EMS team arrived, they took over the situation. The passenger was revived and transported to the hospital with vital signs. Thanks to amazing teamwork and quick reaction, this passenger’s life was saved!

Thank you to Harprit and our fantastic OSR team members who supported her that day.

Harprit Kaur, OSR Manager

Our A.S.P. support service teams play an integral role in our business. These teams include our Finance, Human Resources, Administrative and Resource Planning teams, who provide many key services ranging from client invoicing, payroll, scheduling, recruitment, employee communications, leave management, etc.

From Back to Front: Natasha Stephenson-Belle (Manager),
“Harpreet Saini, Colin Catney and Hardeep Khaneja

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, A.S.P followed the recommendations of Health Agencies and elected to reduce or temporarily lock down offices and transition office support employees to a remote (work from home) environment. This transition required the company to ensure that these employees had the required tools and technologies to effectively work remotely and our employees had to quickly adapt to this new way of working.

While we recognize the challenges our front-line

While we recognize the challenges our front-line essential services employees experience, our office support staff also experienced significant challenges adapting to working remotely, which were further complicated by school closures, spouses/partners also working from home or job loss, pressures of social/physical distancing as well as the increased workload associated with COVID-19 business disruptions.

Challenges such as:

• Lack of home offices/space or privacy
• Distractions/interruptions in the home environment
• Learning and relying on new technologies and associated technical difficulties
• Feeling disconnected from their teams
• Balancing work and private lives

Most of us are “wired” for human connection; when forced to unplug from these connections and relationships, we feel the effects of isolation and loneliness and the adjustment to working remotely impacts each of us in different ways.

These individuals put in the effort, quickly adapted to working from home, stayed productive and focused. I know it wasn’t easy.

Their commitment, dedication and discipline were critical to our ability to maintain business continuity and serve and support our front-line employees during this difficult period. I am extremely proud and inspired by the way these individuals rose to the challenge. Loyal and dedicated employees like this are the foundation of our company.

As we begin to transition to the next phase (reentry), I wanted to take a moment to thank our office support team employees for what they have they have done – their contributions made a difference.

It is my pleasure to introduce and welcome our new Technical Writer, Zoma Ogbonna, to our A.S.P. family.

Zoma officially joined us on September 21, 2020, when she began an extensive onboarding/orientation program for a few weeks to familiarize her with the organization and our business. She will be working across the organization and reporting to me.

Zoma will be based in our corporate HQ office in Burlington and her company email address is zogbonna@security-asp.com.

Please join me in giving Zoma Ogbonna a warm A.S.P. welcome.

Our onsite supervisors will utilize the app to mobilize required staff for the day-of operations and have the ability to work with clients onsite to make schedule adjustments.

Visibility of all services ordered, past and present, allows for the monitor and control of invoices and future requests.

Direct connectivity to our resource planning team ensures that the services ordered are accurately scheduled and deployed to the correct locations.

The SRA is currently in beta testing and will be available to existing clients in a staggered roll-out through mid-October and available to all of our clients in November 2020.

A.S.P. is excited to move towards a paperless process that is accurate and efficient, giving our clients more time to focus on the work that matters to them and the confidence to know that our team of experienced personnel will be there to support their front-line teams.