Is audio underused in physical security? What are the obstacles?

Frequently an afterthought, audio analytics and intercom systems are underutilised components in security systems. When you consider that many modern AI-enabled security cameras include audio analytics as a standard feature, this represents a lost opportunity for enhanced situational awareness and validation of important events. i-PRO’s cameras can alert operators to the sound of broken glass, gunshots, yells, etc. Some camera models have built-in microphones to do this, while others support inputs from external microphones. A classic misconception is that using audio analytics means cameras are recording audio, which can conflict with privacy regulations. Audio analytics, processed on the edge, in-camera, means audio never leaves the camera and is never stored or monitored. An alert is generated only when a detected sound matches a known sound signature, such as a glass break. In this way, privacy is ensured, and regulatory compliance is guaranteed.

Yes, audio is often underused in physical security despite its ability to enhance real-time awareness and response. While video surveillance and access control are widely adopted, audio has lagged due to outdated perceptions and integration concerns. It has long been seen as an IT or facility function—audio systems like intercoms were not a core part of security. That is changing. Modern IP-based audio technology makes unifying communication, video, and access control easier into a single platform. This allows operators to see, hear, and speak with people or issue announcements at entry points or during incidents, all in one interface, enabling faster, more accurate decisions. Many still underestimate audio’s value or are unaware of how it can be easily integrated. They can assess the situation more accurately, ask follow-up questions, and respond appropriately. When audio is included, it adds critical context that video alone can’t provide—as technology evolves, its role in physical security is becoming not just helpful, but essential.

Audio verification technology in access (physical security) applications is underused, simply because it has not gained the traction it needs to position itself against the more time-proven biometrics: fingerprint and facial recognition. As with any technology, deployments need to show their value in robust and reliable operation, price performance, and ease of use in their applied end cases. With the increased use of AI as a building block that better enables field installations, truly reliable performance can be expected across diverse user groups and applications where background noise could be a limiting factor. At Xthings, we embrace the intelligent use of, and secure implementation of AI infrastructure in ways that increase user satisfaction, product performance, and flexible deployment capability. We believe in creating non-contact solutions that enhance health safety in work environments, so audio is certainly in mind.

Audio plays an important role in modern physical security systems, enhancing both functionality and user interaction. Integrations with intercom systems enable real-time communication for access control, allowing security personnel to verify identities remotely. Audio detection can also act as a sensor, identifying threats such as glass breaking, gunshots, or raised voices — triggering appropriate responses even before visual confirmation. Additionally, audio serves as a user interface, providing immediate feedback through alerts, alarms, or voice prompts. This not only guides user behaviour but also enhances safety and compliance. One example is Gallagher’s custom tones feature, which allows customers to upload personalised audio files. These can be used to signal access decisions at card readers, enabling organisations to align security cues with their brand identity. Whether it's a welcoming chime for access granted or a firm tone for denial, audio transforms security from a silent guardian into a responsive, intuitive system.

Today, there are more ways than ever to integrate audio into security systems to deliver expanded coverage and value. Modern audio solutions include a variety of capabilities like two-way communication with echo cancellation, eye-catching displays, strobe lights, custom messaging and zoning, and more to help enhance use of the technology in schools, healthcare facilities, transportation hubs, and other protected areas. Taking it a step further, audio analytics that leverage artificial intelligence to detect unusual sounds, such as screams, shouts, and breaking glass, are increasingly being implemented to trigger automatic alerts that help verify events while improving incident response. Ease of scalability has been a key challenge when it comes to expanded audio adoption, but today's technology solutions prioritise system scalability to ensure organisations of all sizes are able to implement and use audio coupled with visual alerting to their full advantage.

Audio is a critical layer of information for physical security systems, especially at the perimeter, where real-time communication and response are key. Voice, after all, is one of the most natural and effective ways we communicate and gather information. Whether it’s granting or denying access to a building, de-escalating a situation, or issuing instructions during an emergency, spoken communication can be far more impactful than strobe lights, sirens, or buzzers. Now, with the integration of AI, audio is evolving from a basic communication channel into an important source of intelligence. Recent advances in AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), are opening the door to new capabilities that give security and operations teams deeper context and faster insights. I can envision that, in the not-so-distant future, systems will leverage intelligent AI agents that can interact via voice to provide instructions, answer questions, or even take specific actions. It’s important to note that audio is not necessary or appropriate to leverage in all security settings. Security leaders and organisations will need to ensure they are deploying audio analytics in a responsible, thoughtful way that respects privacy.