As technology continues to evolve, people and businesses are focusing more of their attention on security. Whether they are looking to protect themselves, their data, or their company and employees, the top security integration trends showcase the latest technology available to meet their needs.
Cloud Storage for Video Surveillance
The cloud has been around for some time, and it’s now fairly commonplace for data to be stored on cloud-based servers. From our cell phones to our computer backups, chances are everyone stores at least something in the cloud. Well-suited to storage of large files, many companies that offer video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) store their video footage in the cloud. Video files require a significant amount of space, and storing large surveillance files on a local computer server can be complicated and costly. VSaaS eliminates worries over space, and is particularly helpful for people and businesses using security systems, since a long history of video files can be stored and accessed easily through the cloud. As far as security integration trends go, this will likely continue to grow moving forward.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence, or AI, has been a security boogeyman in science fiction for decades. Ironically, it is finding a place in the modern world at the forefront of security products. AI improves video security by making motion detection and behavior analysis easier. It also is the backbone of smart alarms and wireless sensors. Some AI is so advanced that it can defend against cyberattacks and protect data on vulnerable computer networks. Far from being the threat that pop culture portrays, artificial intelligence keeps people and the things they care about safe every day. As trends in security integration lean further on AI, and more companies and people are educated on the benefits of AI, perhaps some of the fears surrounding it will lessen.
Audio Analysis
Some security integration trends can lead to others. Case in point, AI has given security professionals the ability to analyze potential threats in new ways, and one of the newest frontiers is audio analysis. While audio has been part of security systems for a long time, and many security systems use features like intercoms, audio analysis using artificial intelligence is gaining popularity and prominence. Smart systems can monitor audio and analyze the sounds around them for threats, including those in human voices. Some components of audio security can detect aggression in people’s voices before they act, giving security personnel the chance to prevent costly or dangerous incidents before they happen.
Voice Control
The ability to analyze someone’s voice also opens another frontier in security: controlling devices with the voice. Voice control has exploded in popularity in recent years, with smart speakers, smart TVs, integrated security systems, and other technologies all offering this option to consumers. Such systems seem simple, but they require complex programming and network control. Natural language processing allows people to make queries about information in ways that make sense to them, rather than relying on computer language or needing to ask security professionals. Voice control gives everyday people more freedom to implement and monitor their own independent security.
Robotics and Autonomous Devices
A related concept to AI is robotics and autonomous devices. Companies are allowing people to rent independent robots and drones for security purposes, and these devices offer a wide variety of security services. From modulating power storage to creating mobile surveillance, devices that can react to the environment without human intervention are monitoring the world around us, making decisions when we cannot. From military drones to physical security systems that can detect electrical shorts and other dangers, the combined effort of AI and robotics is changing the landscape of modern security.
Mobile Credentials
Verifying someone’s credentials has long been a viable security approach, but the increasing need to handle credentials on mobile devices is presenting some unique challenges. Security isn’t always as simple as showing an identification badge or driver’s license. More complex systems like biometrics can now regulate access to information, buildings, and people. These complex systems require in-depth planning and management. This makes development of unified access systems that can work across a spectrum of devices and contexts a modern security priority.
Biometrics
Facial biometrics are one of the newest ways to verify people’s identities. Many companies which produce products people use every day are securing their data with biometrics. Apple secures some of its phones this way, while Microsoft secures some of their computers with this technology. This is another security innovation that has been the stuff of science fiction for a long time, but has moved into the real world as technology has gotten better. There are still some significant challenges, and some contexts where accuracy is much lower than would be expected, but the increase in demand for these systems on a commercial basis is driving innovation in the sector.
IoT and 5G Network Connectivity
Security systems are only as good as the networks that support them. It doesn’t do any good to store and analyze a lot of information for security purposes, for example, if the network that stores the data can be easily broken into. To that end, the IoT will soon be relying on 5G LTE networks, rather than the current 3G and 4G systems. The new 5G systems are still being developed, but they are designed to be modular, more secure, and much faster than the technology in common use today. The networks will support mobile video, public safety monitoring, and smart cities.
These security integration trends show that technology is leaping forward in many ways, and our need for security evolves as the technology we rely on changes. Many of these exploding business sectors didn’t exist until quite recently, and it is important to remember how fast technology can change the way we view the world. This makes security integration an ever-changing process. These constant changes are not a bad thing, though, because they mean systems are just continuing to improve. The better our security, the more peace of mind we all have.
In today’s world making security a top priority is no longer a choice, but a must for businesses. Our team at 3SixtyIntegrated is ready to help you develop an effective enterprise security integration program. For more information, call (210) 545-1770 or fill out our contact form.