At ISC West, there was no shortage of technologies to see, security professionals to meet, or innovations to contemplate. With more than 30,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors at the show, it was simply impossible to see it all. However, between dozens of partner and client meetings and booth visits, Telaid’s team reported back on three key technology trends that are reshaping security.
- Multi-sensor cameras – Multi-sensor cameras have several imagers that can provide multi-direction views from one camera, off a single network connection. These cameras can include three or four imagers that create a 180-degree, 270-degree, 360-degree panoramic, or intersection view. Powerful and flexible, they offer complete views of intersections, hallways, or large areas with a single camera. Some of these cameras include combinations of imagers, for example one regular image lens and one thermal lens. In this case, if nighttime conditions fail to offer sufficient light to enable clear images, the thermal lens can provide heat imaging to help identify activity with a heat profile. Not only does the advancement of multiple lenses and types of lenses in one camera offer flexibility, but also the advancements in processing power in the cameras themselves allow them to accurately provide more enhanced information.
- Deep learning analytics - Deep learning takes video analytics to the next level. Traditionally, analytics have been able to detect motion or pinpoint objects left in a location. However, deep learning is driving the sophistication of analytics at the camera. For example, using skeletal imaging, on-camera analytics can not only identify motion, but can more specifically determine if there has been a slip-and-fall, and if the object is a person, an object or animal. This enhanced capability provides more detail and greater accuracy when it comes to triggering alerts and providing information in a real-time fashion.
- Fully integrated systems – Truly unified physical security systems are now providing advanced integrated capabilities that deliver benefits far beyond traditional loss prevention/asset protection. For example, integrated video, combined with audio systems and overhead paging, video intercom door stations, and deep learning analytics, enables cameras to initiate audio responses when certain events are detected. For example, if a slip-and-fall is detected, the audio announcement can inform the customer that assistance is on the way. If a customer is detected lingering at the shelf, a silent alert can be sent to an associate to help the customer, who likely has a question or is unable to find what they need. These integrated capabilities enhance the customer experience as well as take a more proactive approach to loss prevention. In addition, many vendors are now able to offer the full suite of solutions. Historically, these solutions required sourcing different pieces from disparate vendors and often required complicated configuration and deployment.
All three of these advances are made possible by “processing on the edge.” In the past 12-24 months, chips on cameras have delivered vastly greater processing capabilities than ever before. On-board processing has the ability to aggregate and analyze more information with enhanced analytics on the edge, rather than having to send data to a central server for processing. This has and will continue to advance the capabilities of individual devices and open a new world of insight and integrated data. If you have not begun to look at unified physical security, it may be time to start mapping out your path to integrated systems that deliver value and insight to your organization as a whole.