Matt Fishback, Business Development Manager, AWS at Milestone Systems explains how cloud-based video technology can help to improve airport security.

Airport security

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world, airports face numerous challenges in maintaining safety, security and operational efficiency.

As global air traffic continues to grow and evolve, so too must the technologies that protect and optimize these critical transportation hubs.

Video technology that leverages cloud-based solutions and AI is emerging as a powerful tool for airports to mitigate risks, streamline operations, enhance emergency response times and improve the overall passenger experience.

The true value of implementation

When considering the deployment of video technology in the cloud, it’s crucial to look beyond the initial investment.

The true value of these systems lies in their ability to prevent losses, streamline operations, ensure compliance, enhance the customer experience and protect data.

A comprehensive video technology system with AI-enabled tools and hybrid cloud connectivity can provide significant long-term benefits and a solid return on investment.

By prioritizing the flexibility of video security systems, airports and transportation hubs can effectively protect their resources, secure confidential information and preserve the confidence of their business partners and travelers.

Analytics for strategic insights

Today’s open platform, data-driven video technology software can ingest, process and present vast amounts of data to security and facility personnel, enabling them to monitor events in real time and make informed, proactive decisions as they occur – a capability that’s particularly crucial in the fast-paced environment of modern airports and transportation hubs.

By analyzing passenger behavior, traffic patterns and employee performance, airports can gain valuable insights to inform strategic decisions.

For example, video analytics can be used to optimize terminal layouts, airport security checkpoint staffing and resource allocation based on passenger flow and peak travel times.

The integration of video data with other airport systems, such as access control, baggage handling and retail point-of-sale, creates a powerful, holistic view of an airport’s operations.

This integration allows airports to automate processes, reduce manual errors and gain a better understanding of their overall performance.

Another challenge that airport managers face is improving curbside traffic at arrival and departure curbs.

By detecting vehicle types, reading license plates and monitoring parking times, these systems help optimize arrival and departure traffic flow.

The video systems also help verify ride-share activities, resolve disputes and ensure accurate fee collection.

Video data and license plate recognition (LPR) technologies are key in helping manage taxi demand and rideshare services efficiently, enhancing overall curbside operations.

AI-powered video analytics can analyze data in real time, detecting anomalies, identifying patterns and providing valuable insights into potential airport security threats.

By automating the detection of potentially harmful patterns and swiftly identifying breaches, AI-driven solutions can help airport security and facility personnel proactively prevent incidents, respond to emergencies and streamline investigations.

The power of hybrid cloud solutions

The advancements in cloud connectivity and the increased popularity of hybrid on-premises/cloud solutions have transformed the video security industry, offering airports unprecedented flexibility, scalability and cost-saving potential.

By sharing storage and computing resources between on-site systems and the cloud, airports can prevent over or under-investment in hardware that may quickly become insufficient or obsolete.

The cloud’s pay-as-you-go model allows users to scale up instantaneously while optimizing costs and migrating older data to affordable cloud-tiered storage helps conserve expensive local storage.

A hybrid/cloud approach provides access to a wide selection of advanced features and analytics on an as-needed basis, eliminating the need for costly upfront investments in hardware and software.

Real-world success

Several airports around the world have already begun to reap the benefits of advanced, cloud-integrated video technology software.

A major airport in Brazil, serving over 15 million travelers annually, successfully migrated its video security system to the cloud as part of its Cloud First initiative.

The airport implemented open platform video management software (VMS) to manage over 1,000 cameras and retain video data for up to 200 days.

The transition proved to be a significant improvement over the airport’s previous on-premises system.

With no on-premises video management, servers or storage remaining, the airport benefited from the cloud provider’s tiered pricing structure, providing cost savings in addition to improved efficiency and data security.

The new system allows for smooth and responsive live video monitoring and playback with very low latency.

The cloud-based system’s scalability and flexibility enabled the airport to accommodate various camera types and storage needs, future-proofing their investments.

This implementation also enhanced the airport’s emergency response capabilities.

The cloud-based solution facilitated instant access to and retrieval of critical video data, significantly improving the airport’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergency situations.

As an another example, a large security systems integrator that manages multiple airports across Argentina has leveraged the flexibility of an open platform VMS to enhance airport security and operations across its network.

The organization sought to upgrade airport security systems by deploying technologies ranging from access control to video solutions and incorporating innovative cloud and analytic solutions.

At one major airport in Argentina, security professionals implemented a system of around 800 cameras, with plans to expand to 1,200.

The solution includes a mix of high-resolution cameras, pan/tilt/zoom systems and thermal imaging cameras.

A key feature of the implementation was the integration of virtual perimeter defense software within the VMS.

This combination created a virtual “fence” around designated areas, automatically detecting human and vehicular motion and issuing alerts upon intrusions of airport property.

The implementation also highlighted the importance of end-to-end encryption capabilities, ensuring the highest level of airport security for sensitive data regardless of camera make or model.

The open platform architecture allowed officials to integrate cameras from various manufacturers and third-party analytics solutions, enabling them to tailor the airport security system to each location’s specific needs.

This flexibility has proven crucial in accommodating the diverse requirements of Argentina’s airports.

Ensuring compliance and future-proofing airport security

As airports increasingly rely on video data, they must navigate a complex landscape of regulations governing the privacy and security of this sensitive information.

By partnering with trusted cloud providers, airports can reduce the burdens, risks and costs associated with video data compliance.

Leading cloud platforms offer a range of automated compliance features and tools that help organizations meet their regulatory obligations efficiently and effectively.

Key federal, state, local and industry-specific regulations impose strict requirements on how video data must be collected, stored and accessed.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant financial penalties, legal liabilities and reputational damage.

Cloud-based solutions enhance airport security with built-in data encryption, granular access controls and redundancy measures that protect sensitive video data from unauthorized access or loss.

Looking ahead, the next frontier for airport video technology is the further migration of system components and processing power to the cloud.

Full or hybrid cloud solutions offer airports a quick way to scale and enhance their video system capabilities without expensive capital equipment or infrastructure investments.

These solutions allow video to be accessed, monitored or shared in an almost infinite number of ways, greatly expanding an airport’s options for security staffing and seeking expert assistance as needed.

As video management technologies become smarter, airports are benefiting from increased automation and new capabilities that augment human decision-making.

Intelligent applications, hardware acceleration and cloud processing are advancing at a rapid pace.

These new tools – including cloud-based video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) – are allowing airports to do more with less, optimizing resources while enhancing airport security and operational efficiency.

Embracing innovation

By harnessing the power of cloud-based video technology software and AI analytics, airports can unlock a wealth of opportunities to optimize processes, respond to emergencies and improve passenger experiences.

Implementing such solutions requires a strategic, forward-thinking approach.

Partnering with trusted technology providers who can offer scalable, flexible and secure solutions that align with an airport’s unique needs and goals is essential.

By leveraging the expertise of these partners, airports can navigate the complexities of integration, compliance and data management, ensuring a smooth and successful deployment.

As the threat landscape evolves, so must an airport’s video security strategy.

Investing in continuous upgrades, employee training and proactive maintenance is crucial to staying ahead of potential vulnerabilities and maintaining the highest level of protection.

The cost of inaction far outweighs the cost of investment, especially when considering the long-term benefits and potential cost savings of advanced, cloud-integrated VMS.

By embracing these technologies, airports can not only enhance their security posture but also transform their operations, creating safer, more efficient and more enjoyable experiences for travelers worldwide.

As we look to the future technology in transportation hubs, it’s clear that video technology will play an increasingly critical role in shaping the travel experience.

About the author

For more than 25 years, Matt Fishback has developed and delivered a passion for using technology to improve operations, business and the lives of people within the manufacturing, service and technology sectors.

Over the last several years, Matt has channeled his depth of experience at Milestone Systems in both sales and operations roles and by currently leading the Milestone AWS cloud strategy.

Matt is a graduate of Linfield University with degrees in Economics and Business Administration.

This article was originally published in the September edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.