Rapid technological developments are transforming the features of surveillance cameras and opening up new business opportunities for companies. Intelligent camera surveillance also requires companies to carry out more accurate needs assessments and documentation. What do companies need to know about developments in the sector right now?
Christian Mellin, Business Owner of Hedengren Security Camera Surveillance, highlights the rapid development of camera analytics as the most significant trend of the moment.
"Cameras are transforming from devices that simply record video images to sensors that observe the 360-degree environment and collect data," Mellin defines.
According to Mellin, the new smart cameras also feature a range of analytics applications that help to identify even the smallest anomalies in the data stream and highlight different trends. By connecting the camera system to other security and property systems and smart applications through a digital service platform, the analytical capability is further enhanced.
New types of commercial benefits
According to Mellin, the ever-increasing amount of data and the predictability brought about by data analytics will help to improve security and also open up the possibility of new ways of using data.
"Data analytics is already being used, for example, to improve customer service and make mobility smoother by identifying where queues form in shops or traffic, or which products sell fastest," Mellin says.
According to Mellin, a single smart surveillance camera can produce data for a wide variety of purposes. For example, the same sensor can collect data for occupational safety monitoring, sales optimisation, advertising targeting and improving the energy efficiency of premises - where previously the camera only produced an image of the premises being monitored.
Identifying a new use can generate big savings or additional revenue for a company, so Mellin encourages companies to consult experts in the field when considering new uses.
"A smart camera system may already have the necessary analytics and integration capabilities in place, so expanding the use case does not always require even major additional investments," Mellin says.
Systems are expanding and moving to the cloud
Mellin sees the industry moving towards cloud services and larger systems. In practice, cameras are connected to a digital service platform via open interfaces and integrated with other security or property systems and smart applications.
"This will allow camera surveillance to be used, for example, to optimise the flow of lifts according to the number of people. Or, in a production plant, to analyse the movements of workers and the operation of machinery, improving both safety and efficiency. Or in a hospital, an alarm can be sent to a nurse if a patient has fallen or left the room."
According to Mellin, selling cameras as a cloud service means that only the cameras are installed at the site and everything else, such as data storage, analysis and system updates, takes place in the cloud. The cameras' performance and maintenance needs are also monitored remotely.
"With cloud computing, systems can be managed in one place, even if they are in different locations and countries," says Mellin.
Growing concern about privacy
With cloud computing and increasingly discreet camera surveillance, security risks are also increasing. This is driven by concerns about privacy and data falling into the wrong hands - security breaches can have fatal consequences for a company's business. Businesses are therefore increasingly required to assess the need for and document their use of CCTV.
Most camera manufacturers are also increasingly investing in cybersecurity. When talking about cybersecurity, Mellin says it is important to remember that wireless cameras are generally not as secure as wired cameras.
"Online security is more comprehensive and usually based on multiple layers of protection, unlike wireless cameras. This is why they are becoming more common, especially on the consumer side."
According to Mellin, today's intelligent camera analytics enable data retrieval based on many individual characteristics. For example, information can be retrieved based on the colour of clothing or a bag. Adequate privacy protection can be ensured by complying with data protection regulations and by using smart camera technology.
"For example, the visibility of faces can be completely excluded from surveillance by face blurring or pixelisation, making it impossible to identify a face at any stage of surveillance," says Mellin.
How to ensure the security of your controls
Mellin urges companies to focus on three things when it comes to camera surveillance. Procurement of data-secure cameras, proactive system planning and careful needs assessment and documentation of camera surveillance.
"People often ask whether it is safe to buy a camera made in Asia. The key is that the camera is NDAA (The National Defense Authorization Act) approved. This is the best way so far to ensure that components from trusted suppliers have been used in the camera."
According to the expert, the Cybersecurity Act and NIS2 will continue to help customers choose secure cameras in the future.
"In addition, it is of course a good idea to buy a camera from a reliable and well-known manufacturer," Mellin adds.
It is also essential that the camera supplier knows the manufacturer and its products intimately.
"At Hedengren Security, for example, we select foreign principals based on strict criteria and also perform quality control on the equipment, which helps the customer to narrow down their choices."
Mellin calls for ensuring that cameras have open interfaces and can be integrated with non-manufacturer devices.
"The system will then also enable new solutions, if at some point the company wants to expand its controls and come up with new business benefits," Mellin sums up.
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