In today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, the convergence of video technology, AI and data analytics is reshaping how we approach protection across various sectors, says Mark Johnson, National Business Development Manager, Cities at Milestone Systems.

The strength of VMS

From healthcare facilities grappling with patient safety to law enforcement agencies coordinating real-time responses and smart cities optimizing urban operations, the need for proactive security measures and open platforms has never been more critical.

Having personally observed the transformative impact of technology in these fields, the game-changing potential of integrated, open platform video management software (VMS) becomes clear.

The days of reactive security protocols are behind us.

In an era where threats are increasingly sophisticated and resources often constrained, organizations are turning to predictive analytics and open platform VMS platforms to stay ahead of potential risks.

This shift isn’t just about installing more cameras or sensors; it’s about creating intelligent, interconnected systems that can anticipate, prevent and respond to security challenges with unprecedented efficiency.

Whether it’s a hospital leveraging AI to enhance patient monitoring, a police department using real-time crime centers for swift incident response or a smart city optimizing its operations through data analysis, the core principle remains the same: proactive security powered by cutting-edge technology.

The synergy of access control integration

The integration of open platform video management software with access control creates a comprehensive security ecosystem that offers far more than the sum of its parts.

This unified approach provides organizations with a holistic view of their security landscape, enabling more effective monitoring and rapid response to potential threats.

By combining video with access control data, security professionals gain access to a wealth of information that can be leveraged to enhance overall security posture.

The integration allows for real-time correlation between video data and access events, providing context and verification for any suspicious activities.

For instance, if an access card is used at an unusual time or location, the system can automatically flag this anomaly and provide the corresponding video for immediate review.

Furthermore, this integration enables more efficient investigations and audits.

Security personnel can quickly retrieve relevant video data associated with specific access events, streamlining the process of incident analysis and resolution.

This capability not only saves time but also enhances the accuracy and thoroughness of security investigations.

The synergy between open platform VMS and access control also extends to operational efficiencies.

Organizations can optimize resource allocation by analyzing patterns in facility usage and access.

For example, by identifying periods of high traffic or frequent access to specific areas, management can adjust staffing levels, implement additional security measures as needed, or simply help keep the area clean by alerting housekeeping that there was excess pedestrian traffic in a specific area.

Proactive, predictive analytics

Predictive analytics represent a significant advancement in the field of security, offering organizations the ability to anticipate potential risks and take preventive action.

By leveraging historical data and identifying patterns, these sophisticated systems can forecast security threats and suggest preemptive measures.

The application of predictive analytics in security contexts is multifaceted.

In a healthcare setting, for instance, an open platform VMS could analyze patient behavior patterns, staff movements and historical incident data to predict potential security risks.

This could involve recognizing times when certain departments may see an increase in patient activity or when additional monitoring for access control may be beneficial.

With an open platform VMS, healthcare facilities can proactively adjust their security protocols, potentially preventing incidents before they occur.

In retail environments, predictive analytics can be employed to combat theft and fraud.

By analyzing data from point-of-sale systems, foot traffic patterns and historical theft incidents, the system can identify high-risk periods or suspicious transaction patterns.

This allows retailers to implement targeted loss prevention strategies and optimize the deployment of security personnel.

The benefits of predictive analytics extend beyond immediate security concerns.

Organizations can use these insights to inform long-term strategic decisions, such as facility design, access control policies and staff training programs.

By identifying recurring patterns and potential vulnerabilities, predictive analytics enables a more proactive and comprehensive approach to security planning.

The open platform approach

Open platform video technology offers significant advantages in terms of flexibility, scalability and future proofing.

These systems provide organizations with the ability to integrate a wide range of tools and technologies, both current and future, ensuring that the security infrastructure can evolve alongside emerging threats and technological advancements.

The flexibility of open platform VMS is particularly valuable in today’s rapidly changing security landscape.

As new security challenges emerge and technologies advance, open systems can readily adapt through software updates and the integration of new capabilities.

This adaptability ensures that organizations can maintain a robust security posture without the need for frequent, costly hardware replacements.

Moreover, open platforms foster innovation within the security industry.

By allowing third-party developers to create specialized applications and integrations, these systems continually expand their capabilities.

This ecosystem of developers and integrators results in a diverse array of solutions tailored to specific industry needs, from retail analytics to healthcare patient monitoring.

The scalability of open platform VMS is another key advantage.

Organizations can start with a basic system and gradually add features and integrations as their needs and budgets evolve.

This scalability is particularly beneficial for growing businesses or those with complex, multi-site operations.

Responsible technology

As organizations adopt these advanced security technologies, it is crucial to address the ethical implications and privacy concerns associated with data collection and analysis.

The implementation of integrated VMS and predictive analytics must be balanced with a commitment to responsible data use and compliance with relevant privacy regulations.

Organizations should establish clear policies governing data collection, storage and usage.

This includes defining who has access to different levels of data, how long data is retained and under what circumstances it can be shared.

Regular audits and assessments should be conducted to ensure compliance with these policies and relevant regulations.

Furthermore, it is essential to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect the data collected by these systems.

This includes encryption of data both in transit and at rest, regular security updates and stringent access controls.

Transparency is also key in maintaining trust.

Organizations should be open about their use of security data and analytic technologies, providing clear information to employees, customers or patients about what data is being collected and how it is being used.

Embracing proactive security across sectors

Throughout my career, I’ve seen the security landscape evolve dramatically, but nothing has matched the transformative potential of these intelligent, integrated systems that can anticipate and prevent threats before they materialize.

In healthcare, we’re witnessing AI-powered cameras that predict potential health emergencies. In law enforcement, real-time crime centers are leveraging these technologies to coordinate responses with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

In our smart cities, an open platform VMS is optimizing everything from traffic flow to emergency services.

The common thread? A proactive approach that harnesses the power of data to stay one step ahead of potential risks.

However, as we embrace these powerful tools, we must remain mindful of developing and deploying technologies responsibly.

The most effective security strategies will always involve a delicate balance of advanced technology, well-trained personnel and thoughtful policies.

As we push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI and predictive analytics, it’s crucial that we don’t lose sight of the human element.

The future of security is here and it’s proactive, predictive and powered by data – are you ready?

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