What was the big news at GSX 2019 in Chicago?

Systems integration was brought to life in a bigger way on the show floor at GSX 2019. Not only did discussions focus on connected security solutions, but they also focused on ways smart buildings can deliver better outcomes by integrating multiple building systems. For example, a more intelligent environment uses data-enabled insights from a network of systems to evaluate how its space is being used. Data from integrated access control and video surveillance systems can be leveraged to see who is allowed access to certain areas of a building and at what time, to determine traffic levels and peak time space usage. When connected with lighting controls and HVAC systems, light and temperature can be adjusted accordingly to help save on energy costs and usage. Data, along with communication among security and building systems, will help us power our customers’ missions to deliver safer, smarter and more sustainable environments.

Key trends I saw at the GSX/ASIS conference included a nearly universal focus on improved cyber security (large end users are demanding IT); and improved prevention, actionable intelligence, and verification of incidents. There is a demand by end users for improvement in the commercial/institutional channel due to significant improvements in data capture for both situational and predictive analytics, which allows easier installs and use. I am also seeing an increase in transparency vs. privacy. In a more transparent world, organisations face a growing expectation of openness and accountability in the decision-making and practices. Also, machine learning and artificial intelligence will increasingly enable new types of human-machine cooperation and enable improved threat detection and response – for example, monitoring center activities. From a competitive point of reference, larger companies are seeking to produce a better end user experience and more long-term relationships and offer better integration of disparate types of sensors.

There was a great deal of discussion about new industry trends at this year’s GSX, but conversations with attendees all circled back to one core concept: the continued reliance on video at the center of a command center as the primary resource for security operations. Security professionals at the show discussed the influx of information they’re seeing from numerous systems and sensors within their technology solutions, expressing the need for a platform that streamlines data analysis, facilitates faster investigations, and improves overall performance — all while taking advantage of the value of video at the core. GSX showcased solutions that can help organisations protect what matters most by allowing them to unify systems and alarms into a single, intuitive interface, maximising situational awareness and enabling operators to base decisions on a comprehensive analysis — and not just video alone — for an appropriate and timely intelligence-powered response.

There was a lot of discussion around the integration of video and access control, and how, when done correctly, the integration of these systems can help end users achieve higher levels of situational awareness, business optimisation and security. There was also a marked interest in the discussion around cloud-based access control. In my opinion, cloud offerings will help deliver enhanced value to integrator partners while empowering end customers to streamline security and business operations through a cloud-based, intuitive platform. As a result, users can now manage multiple sites from a single, unified interface without the added expense of local servers and IT resources. Additionally, there is no local software to install, and updates are automatic, which ensures delivery of the most up-to-date, secure version of the system. The cloud is truly redefining the industry by making it easier to small- to medium-sized businesses to enhance access control.

The biggest discussions happening this year at GSX were around cyber security and its impact on risk management. As video-based security solutions increasingly include artificial intelligence and integrations from various IoT sensors, end-to-end solutions have become crucial to help minimise cyber security threats. Simply connecting an open IoT device without first understanding its software management or how it fits into an enterprise’s life cycle introduces a plethora of risks. But as end-to-end protocols for system management are introduced and enacted, video storage and cyber protection can and should be factored in from the start. At GSX, the role of cyber intelligence and “security for security”,  i.e. encryption, penetration testing, and application testing for the enterprise, was one of the biggest topics during the show