OPEN PLATFORMS
The future of physical security: analytics, the edge and integrated applications By Bjรถrn Callenfors, Axis Communications, Northern Europe Physical security has come a long way since its humble beginnings of standalone CCTV systems and manually operated access points. Cloud connectivity, the internet of things (IoT) and advancements in the technology itself have transformed physical security into a smart, interconnected system of cameras and sensors. Such systems are now capable of processing data through an analytics engine to produce powerful insights, serving to inform security and operational decision making across many industries and sectors. Technological advancements to benefit industry Analytics has many possibilities, some already established and some which have risen to prominence in answer to some of the challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability to set and monitor occupancy thresholds has proven invaluable in the retail
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environment as stores re-opened their doors and shop managers needed a way to safely and accurately calculate customer numbers. In hospitals, mask detection algorithms monitor network video feeds to make sure masks are being worn at all times. Across the public transport industry, analytics can be used to track passenger movement through busy stations and onto their mode of transport, triggering alerts or announcements in response to certain behaviours. These might include a display of aggression, or the breaching of social distancing or face covering guidelines that could impact others negatively in the current climate. Edge computing makes many new applications of security technology possible. Devices such as network cameras have become increasingly capable of processing and analysing
video at the edge. Onboard processing power has huge benefits in relation to the recording and analysis of video in real time and availability of related data. The ability to export and package video surveillance data in the event of an incident, without the potential time lag and energy drain associated with the sending of data back and forward to a server, results in an efficient, cost effective and faster means of video capture, analysis and delivery. The power of open platforms In a highly competitive market, those established providers who have realised the benefits of collaboration over a siloed approach are advocating open platforms. An open approach facilitates the sharing of best practices and collaboration over hardware and software.
