The information age is changing. Today, we are at the center of addressing one of the most critical issues in the digital age: the misinformation age.
While most awareness of this problem has emerged in the consumer and political worlds, the issue cannot be ignored when it comes to the authenticity and protection of video and security data.
Video surveillance data
SWEAR is a company with the mission to ensure the integrity of video surveillance data by mapping video data and writing it into the blockchain, providing real-time, immutable proof of authenticity.
Blockchain, which is the underlying technology that enables cryptocurrencies, is a decentralised digital ledger that securely stores records across a network of computers in a way that is transparent, immutable, and resistant to tampering.
SWEAR solution
The SWEAR solution is based on proactive, foundational protection that validates data at the source
The SWEAR solution is based on proactive, foundational protection that validates data at the source before any opportunity for manipulation can occur.
“Our technology is about proving what’s real and our goal is to ensure that security content and video surveillance data remain untampered with and reliable when needed,” says Jason Crawforth, Founder and CEO of SWEAR.
Real-time authentication
Security leaders need to ensure that the content they are relying on to make mission-critical decisions is authentic. Once verified, organisations can be sure that their investment in video can be trusted for critical use cases, including intelligence operations, legal investigations, and enterprise-scale security strategies.
SWEAR seeks to embed trust and authenticity directly into video surveillance content at the point of creation. This ensures real-time authentication while proactively preventing tampering or manipulation before it can happen.
AI-generated content
The rise of AI-generated content, such as deepfakes, introduces significant challenges
As AI transforms the landscape of video surveillance by enhancing threat detection and predictive analysis, it also introduces the very real risk of manipulation through AI-generated content.
This presents a significant challenge in protecting critical security data, especially in mission-critical applications. The rise of AI-generated content, such as deepfakes, introduces significant challenges when it comes to ensuring the protection of digital media like video surveillance.
Recent study findings
It is a fact that digital media content is being questioned more regularly, which puts businesses, legal systems, and public trust at risk.
A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that 63 percent of Americans believe altered videos and images create significant confusion about the facts of current issues. Last month, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed three bills aimed at curbing the use of AI to create fake images or videos in political ads ahead of the 2024 election.
Footage authenticity
“While most of the news cycle has centered on the use of fake content in politics, we need to think about how manipulated videos could affect security,” says Crawforth. “In video surveillance, ensuring the authenticity of footage is critical for keeping operations secure and safe around the world. That means verifying and protecting video data is a must.”
Organisations must be capable of performing thorough digital investigations, which involve retrieving and analysing video and security data from devices and networks through a chain of evidence.
Digital forensic capabilities
Strong digital forensic capabilities also enhance incident response, risk management, and proactive security
An in-depth understanding of who has handled video data, how it was handled, and where it has been is an important step in responding to security incidents, safeguarding assets, and protecting critical infrastructure.
Strong digital forensic capabilities also enhance incident response, risk management, and proactive security measures, all essential for risk management, regulatory compliance, and cost control, says Crawforth.
An unbroken chain of custody
“By using tools to identify, preserve, and analyse digital evidence, organisations can ensure swift and accurate responses to security incidents,” he adds. “Using the latest tools and techniques is vital for maintaining a strong security posture."
"But you must ensure your digital content isn’t manipulated.” SWEAR’s technology provides an unbroken chain of custody, ensuring that video evidence can be trusted and admissible in court and forensic applications.
Authenticating content
Authenticating content also strengthens accountability and trust, protecting organisations
By verifying video content is protected from tampering, manipulation, or forgery, organisations can be sure that they have reliable evidence that produces actionable results.
Authenticating content also strengthens accountability and trust, protecting organisations from legal disputes or compliance violations.
Safeguarding digital content
“With an increasing amount of disinformation in today’s world, we sought to develop an innovative solution to safeguard the integrity of digital content,” says Crawforth.
SWEAR safeguards security content using real-time “digital DNA” encoding. It integrates directly at the video management system level, ensuring it is preserved with a secure chain of custody and maintains integrity for evidentiary purposes.
Real-time “digital DNA” encoding
The digital DNA is then stored on a blockchain, creating an immutable record
The solution integrates with cameras and other recording devices to map this digital DNA of the video data, all in real-time. The digital DNA is then stored on a blockchain, creating an immutable record that tracks the content’s history and integrity.
Any attempt to manipulate the media can be instantly detected by comparing the current state of the media to its original, authenticated version. SWEAR is actively collaborating with video management solution providers to integrate the technology into their platforms.
Video and security data benefits
“We’re still in the early stages of our collaboration in this space, but it is clear that the industry recognises that we have to work together to mitigate this risk proactively before it becomes a significant issue,” says Crawforth. “The feedback we have received from the industry to date has been beyond our expectations, and we expect to have more integration partners to highlight shortly.”
“We should approach this as a collaborative effort across the industry, as ensuring the authenticity of video and security data benefits everyone involved,” says Crawforth.
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