Technological trends in the security market to be adopted this year

The Chief Technology Officer at Axis Communications, Johan Paulsson, explains in this article how IoT, high-speed networks, Big Data and deep learning will drive demand for security solutions, both physically and online.

This year, technology will continue to evolve. High-speed networks, Big Data and deep learning have abandoned the category of typical marketing jargon to become technologies capable of opening the door to new and better security solutions. Similarly, the Internet of Things will lose its novelty status and integrate much more into our day-to-day.

That will force connected device manufacturers to step forward and take more responsibility for protecting their equipment. All of these factors, Probably, drive demand for security solutions, both physically and online.

Safety as a service

As has happened with many other technologies, customers will soon stop seeing physical security as a simple set of hardware and software solutions connected to a network and will begin to value it as a service, based on remote and professional accommodation and monitoring of video streamed from customer premises.

This change in approach will take place with the mediation of specialists from the sector, who will not only manage the complex systems involved, they will also help reduce the costs needed to keep systems up-to-date and protected. In this way, not only will internal resources be released that could be earmarked for other tasks, but will also improve the level of service of the security system, device management and cybersecurity processes.

Precisely in the field of cybersecurity, we have seen an increase in the use of tools and practices designed to reduce network video vulnerability to attacks.

Integrated solutions

The security sector will continue to move forward with an offer of specific solutions to specific problems, instead of universal hardware/software solutions. Ultimately, customers aren't just looking for a camera or video management system (Vms), but what they really need is to reduce theft, ensure that only certain people can access the counting room or have potential threats under control at an airport.

Although technology companies often abuse the word 'solutions', in this case the term couldn't be more appropriate. The evolution of hardware and software, and also the tools for before and after installation, comprehensive solutions will help address specific security issues.

These solutions will consist of high-performance cameras and tightly integrated storage and access control systems with video management and analytics tools. This approach will make it easier for customers to buy, installation and implementation and, At the same time, will offer them an excellent return on investment.

New horizons of analytics

As part of this process,, although high-quality video is a must-have for modern security cameras, ultimately it is necessary to evaluate and analyze this information before it can make a decision in response to its content.

The latest technological advances in the cameras, such as thermal imaging and new features to use low-light cameras, have been an important step forward. However, in the end the result is a higher volume of video to be analyzed or reviewed.

Just as new tools have been developed to put order to the huge volume of numerical and text data obtained each day, the security industry has spared no effort to develop video analytics software capable of helping professionals make better decisions in real time.

Quite possibly 2017 the year in which these new camera features are finally integrated with real-time analytics to respond to different security issues, like facial recognition, forensic analysis or perimeter protection.

Deep learning

Faced with this growing volume of data, deep learning technologies are increasingly leading. These solutions use pattern recognition software to identify different types of behaviors observed through security cameras installed around the world.

Techniques based on deep learning and artificial intelligence are called to play a leading role in the security sector. The reason is that, although every customer is different, environments and places where they move usually fall into the same general categories, so people tend to show similar behaviors.

Once you've learned these behaviors, it's possible to share the patterns behind, so the system is able to detect if something unforeseen happens. However, this is just the beginning and we have ahead of us a future full of extremely interesting possibilities.

Beyond the video

We are aware that physical security is not limited to the surveillance of people, places or objects, but also involves controlling physical access, one-way and two-way communication and emergency management, a management that often needs to be done from a distance.

That's why, to take the concept of integration a little further, 2017 it has to be the year when security cameras are definitely integrated with smart doors, automatic doormen and speakers, both locally and remotely. The result will be, therefore, a single system capable of managing them all, in real time, so that customers can see, listen and talk to people in or near their buildings.

Cybersecurity

We remain convinced that living surrounded by millions of connected devices is an extraordinary future perspective, but in 2016 we have received serious warnings about the risks of insufficient protection of refrigerators, VCRs and, Unfortunately, security cameras with an Internet connection.

Considering that in most cases customers simply connect these devices and turn them on, it is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that they are safe from the first minute.

For Axis, the safety of its customers has always been a priority and we hope that from 2017 so is it for the other manufacturers. For our part, we will continue to strengthen our product offering and help our customers protect their networks and devices.

We think that the Internet of Things should bring with it more security and processes, more efficient organizations and cities, thanks to the cameras, video intercoms and smart, connected audio systems. In 2017, these devices will be even smarter and, In addition, will allow customers to focus on their priorities and security experts to improve their service offering.

Johan Paulsson

Chief Technology Officer at Axis Communications

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