What You Need to Know About Intelligent Video Surveillance
Video surveillance is one of the most widely used types of security systems. In terms of security, it gives security personnel detailed and useful information. Video surveillance is not without its drawbacks. There are limitations to what it can do, which can leave openings for incidents to occur.
Thanks to developments in technology and software, video surveillance is evolving to be more intelligent. The careful application of new learning systems and system design practices are creating the first generation of intelligent video surveillance systems, which are driven by new trends in the security industry. If your company is looking to set up a new security system or to upgrade an old one, here is what you need to know about intelligent video surveillance systems.
Data Processing Improvements
Perhaps the most important change in video surveillance system development is the addition of stronger data processing technologies. Data processing is at the core of all information collection systems, which include video surveillance equipment. It allows the system to collect a large amount of information that can be processed for further use. In this case, visual information is collected and sent to monitors, so that security teams can monitor what is happening inside the facility.
In the past, this is about all they could do since processing power was fairly limited. This is changing rapidly, with the addition of stronger processing equipment and a massive increase in data management resources. This makes it possible to apply other technologies like AI, automated analysis systems, and other types of surveillance systems to video surveillance infrastructure. The result is systems that are more capable than they have ever been, and systems that can handle some of the surveillance work on their own. Without data processing improvements, many of the other changes in video surveillance systems would not be possible.
Cloud-based Systems
Cloud-based systems increase the resources that video surveillance equipment relies on to store and manage data. The cloud can connect a surveillance camera to an off-site data management system, which can either store the video feed from the camera or enable other services to work with the footage.
Many security systems are using cloud-based systems to store large amounts of data securely. Having this larger pool of data also makes data analysis easier. For example, it is much easier to search for specific segments of time where crimes happened so that the footage can be used in the investigation.
Another advantage of using a cloud-based system is that it gives greater access to security personnel. Multiple security teams can access the same data and watch the same camera feeds. That means that multiple staff members can watch the same feed or different feeds from different cameras across the facility. They can also switch between them easily, making it easier for a single security team to monitor a larger facility and change how they work to respond to different situations.
Intelligent Automatic Analysis
Improvements in data processing, and also make it possible for computer systems to perform intelligent automatic analyses. There are companies developing computer systems that can watch the video feed from a camera and identify specific events that are happening in real-time. For example, there are security systems that can identify packages that have been left alone for a significant amount of time. The system will alert the security team who can move in and examine the package.
This type of technology also works for facial recognition and body language. There are intelligent systems that can analyze people’s faces and identify who they are in real-time. This can be helpful for trying to catch suspects. However, companies are also developing systems that can read body language to predict what is going to happen. If there is going to be a fight in the facility, the system should be able to recognize the body language before the fight starts and alert the security team.
Future improvements in intelligent automatic analysis are only limited by data processing power and software design. Increases in processing power make it possible for computers to apply these analyses to a larger set of cameras, as well as to perform detailed analyses quickly. Developing the software that a lot of systems use to do this seems to be the sticking point, as it could take several more years before these systems are ready and widely available. However, the potential for reducing security threats with these systems makes them well worth the investment.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a controversial subject, especially in the realm of security systems. Artificial Intelligence is a type of system that mimics human intelligence in that it can learn, grow, and adapt as it gains experience. Essentially, AI allows systems to learn more about security practices the longer it is in operation. This creates a huge potential for improving how security systems function and being able to identify or predict possible events.
The reason why AI is controversial is that AI systems are not necessarily under the control of people. Because the system can act on its own, it raises questions about the ethics or legality of how it will work. These are fundamental questions that need to be addressed before AI-enhanced video surveillance equipment is put into full use.
Protecting Privacy
While most of the advancements in video surveillance systems focus on expanding and improving functionality, one of the most important enhancements focuses on limiting what video surveillance systems can do. Concerns over privacy and civil liberties raise questions about the use of advanced features in video surveillance. For example, facial recognition systems automatically target and identify anyone walking into an area. This can be seen as a violation of someone’s privacy or civil liberties because they are being targeted without having committed a crime.
The software responsible for how video surveillance systems function is becoming more sophisticated and programmers are paying attention to the calls for increased privacy and protection of civil liberties. They are developing safeguards within systems to keep staff members and intelligent systems from violating people’s civil liberties wherever possible. Balancing the need for security and personal protections will continue to be a major point in the security industry.
Partner with Video and Sound Service, Inc.
Setting up a new video surveillance system can be complicated, especially if you’ve never done it before. To avoid many of the pitfalls that you could run into, partner with an experienced and skilled security systems designer and installer. Call Video and Sound Service, Inc. at (708) 562–6316 to discuss your video surveillance needs today.
