WHAT'S NEW IN Technology

By Miranda Legaspi, MBA, Platinum Security, Inc.

Every March, most Security Professionals converge at ISC West, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is where we look at what’s new in Technology as it pertains to Security. As technology continues to advance, so does the need for better physical security measures. If a post-pandemic world has shown us anything, it is that there continues to be a push to shift, adapt and develop many industries away from sole reliance on physical employees; the private security realm included. Beyond this traditional model, a host of frontiers such as cloud-based computing, AloT (Artificial Intelligence of Technology), cybersecurity, and the aforementioned A.I. are being pushed to the forefront by a plethora of companies both big and small. Here are just a few of the exciting innovations and trends that are helping combat the rise of physical threats and security breaches.

Video Surveillance

In a world where we can now watch our groceries being delivered to our front door via our smartphones, the convenience of video surveillance cannot be overstated. Granted, it has been a staple of physical security for many years, but the technology is constantly improving. Highdefinition cameras are becoming more affordable, and video analytics software is becoming more sophisticated. Video analytics software can analyze video footage in real time, detecting and alerting security personnel to suspicious activity.

A.I. Will Be Everywhere

No, it’s not just for writing essays anymore! The integration of Artificial Intelligence technology is fairly common within the security industry. An increasing number of customers have recognized the value of A.I., and have found new uses for its applications in a variety of scenarios. Along with automated event alerts, and false alarm reduction, A.I. technologies are being used for wider applications, such as fall detection for the elderly, bomb surface detection, and much more. Meanwhile, we also have seen more collaboration across the industry, with security manufacturers opening their hardware products to third-party A.I. applications, and launching open platforms for customers to create and train their own A.I. algorithms to meet customized needs. A.I. has been one of the core technologies to reshape the security industry. A.I. development is benefiting from the optimization of algorithms, as well as improved computing performance, and the decreased cost of chips due to the advancement of semiconductor technology in recent years.

Autonomous Security Officers

While this may conjure up images of RoboCop, Blade Runner, or some other Sci-Fi dystopian Hollywood fantasy, the folks at Team 1st Technologies, an IT start-up that specializes in autonomous security, among other innovations, are here to tell you that security robots are here and are all too real.

The Albuquerque-based company asserts that, “The fourth generation of A.I. is ‘artificial intuition,’ which enables computers to identify threats and opportunities without being told what to look for.” Their robots provide GPS accuracy to within two inches, obstacle avoidance, A.I. analytics, machine learning, integration, and allterrain software and capabilities. GPS and LTE communications, Force Multiplier Current Security System and sensor enhancement.

Gate/Guardhouse Management Platform

An integrated visitor management system is crucial to maintaining the efficiency of your facility. Site managers and Health and Safety officers ensure the safety and security of their location while complying with both internal and industry regulations and the number of different people visiting each day. Facility management software mitigates these risks by enhancing visitor tracking while improving the visitor experience. Smart tech solutions enhance visitor verification and maintain a digital visitor log. Therefore, you aren’t stuck sifting through pages of records to find a person who visited days ago. Correctly implementing your visitor management system is vital to making access control easier. Some of the industry leaders were among the first to provide cloud based SAAS or Software as a Service, quickly rendering reliance on desktop systems obsolete. Some of their benefits include using artificial intelligence to predict searches for your guard, reducing vehicle wait time at the entry, and residents being able to use an app on both Apple and Android. These apps reduce calls to staff with residents managing their guests online, notify residents of guest arrival, manage and track: keys, permits, decals, transponders, and images of drivers’ licenses and vehicle license plates, and send email and text message blasts.

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AIoT

With more security cameras and other security devices being connected to the network, the security industry is becoming an important part of the IoT (Internet of Things) world, enriching its visual capabilities. It’s apparent that the boundaries of the security industry are blurring, going well beyond the physical security arena. Meanwhile the popularization of A.I. technology enables the connected devices to become intelligent “things” in the IoT realm. The combination of A.I. and IoT, or as referred to, “AIoT”, is taking the security industry into an elevated sphere, automating the workflows and procedures of enterprises and aiding in the digital transformation of various industry verticals such as logistics, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, etc. These new devices shoulder a multiplicity of tasks that just a few years ago required several different devices, covering both security functions and other intelligent functions for an everadvancing world.

Miranda Legaspi, MBA Director of Business Development Platinum Security, Inc.