How can ‘security’ systems benefit the larger enterprise?

Since the larger mission of most enterprises is going to focus on growing revenue, anything a security system can do to help achieve that goal is a big win. Reducing shrink and loss is top-of-mind when we think of security, and its impact to the bottom line, but the latest AI-enabled cameras and systems go far beyond loss prevention to actually enhance and validate how a company operates and sells to its customers. These new security systems deliver business and operational intelligence that enables companies to analyse data such as entry counts, dwell times, paths, queues and product interaction. They also make it easy to compare this data with powerful dashboards showing the relative performance at each location. In this way, modern security systems are evolving into smart data sensor networks that marketing and sales teams increasingly rely on for validation of product placement and other measurable marketing initiatives.

Of course, security systems are valuable in keeping the people and assets of an enterprise safe, but security technology plays a larger role in the operational efficiency of an enterprise. In particular, during the pandemic, traditional security technologies such as people counting, queue management, access control, IP intercom and remote monitoring helped enterprises get back to business in a safe way that adhered to current guidelines. Even after the pandemic, these technologies will continue to play a key role, helping organisations to make more data-informed business decisions and improving the safety and security of the enterprise. Whatever an enterprise’s mission is, the right security system can make day-to-day activities more secure and efficient and allow for employees to focus on their business goals.

Security systems can do much more than simply record video to a VMS or NVR. With the latest developments in AI-based onboard analytics, cameras can be used to provide actionable data that helps businesses get a holistic view of their operations that goes beyond security. AI-based cameras can accurately measure customer traffic patterns in stores and help validate product display campaigns by showing dwell times. Queue analytics can help allocate staff when and where they are needed, and with object detection analytics, a camera can tell the difference between a human arriving at the entrance of a building and traffic passing by in the same field-of-view. With these advances, and more on the way, physical security systems are increasingly applied in non-traditional security applications to drive business value and become an essential part of an organisations’ technology strategy.

Security systems were once used strictly for security. Savvy enterprises realise that the value of security technology can extend into everyday business. As the number of IoT sensors expands, so does the amount of data collected. Instead of storing, ignoring, and eventually throwing that data away, organisations can leverage it to develop insights and identify patterns of behaviour. This can help them make informed operational decisions, such as making better use of their space or optimising the flow of people. There’s also an opportunity to create a common operating picture between physical and cyber security to manage enterprise risk more effectively. For instance, a vulnerability detected in one realm could trigger a change in the threat level in the other. To make this possible, technology vendors must become more aligned with their customers’ mission. No longer just a cost centre, physical security departments become a source of valuable insights.

When it comes to the overall mission of an enterprise, security and safety systems contribute to maintaining both the bottom line and the top line of a company. A comprehensive system contributes to the safety and security of the company, its suppliers and partners protecting valuable assets. As an investment, it limits potential loss caused by different illegal activities. Not only do security systems help minimise loss, they can also increase revenues of enterprises by making the overall environment a safer space to operate in.

In any modern enterprise business, the requirement of electronic security has become increasingly vital. But, this in itself also has its own requirements. Security systems are designed to offer protection and reliability to the end user, and this protection falls into many different categories. In these trying times, we must look to offer features and functions above and beyond standard security disciplines. To benefit any end user, we have to look to ever-more-sophisticated technology as key. For example, access control permissions can be automatically managed by using middleware between the HR system and the security management systems. Health screenings as a part of access control will become a part of everyday life as will contact tracing. How about ANPR for car park access and space management or IT racks that can be secured providing audit trails? Then there’s integration to smart buildings that can assist with lighting and power control.

Typically, when people think of security, turnstiles, security guards and CCTV are the first things that come to mind. However, it goes so much further than ensuring a lobby or asset is secure, has a physical security presence, or an eye in the sky. Through flexible third-party integrations, a whole enterprise can be elevated to maximise the health and safety of its staff and guests and improve building efficiency. Fastlane products benefit from the capability of being integrated with all known security and building management systems. We have been seamlessly integrating Fastlane turnstiles and Door Detective door entry products with third-party technologies such as video analytics, time-and-attendance, HVAC and identity management for many years now, providing data and intelligence to building owners about how their asset is being used by its occupants.