INDUSTRY FOCUS

How Deep is Deep Learning?

At the start of every new year, I get a sampling of what new technologies are going to be introduced. Most of the time, I’m in way over my head. Sometimes I understand and relate to the solution, the technology and what it all means.

I met John Carter several years ago. I remember it was during the winter, because at the end of the work day the skies were getting dark and I was trying to find his office in the North Dallas area. John had a very cool new technology that he wanted to show me. First, you should know that he is a rocket scientist and worked for NASA for a few years. I’m not a rocket scientist, never worked for NASA, and had no idea what I was getting myself into.

It was rocket science.

I’ve kept in touch with John over the years, and a few weeks ago I get a call to have a chat with him on the phone. We talked for 30 minutes and I found I was swimming in the deep waters of deep learning. I swam fast enough to ask for another 30 minutes. We talked again, and I was more prepared.

We’re seeing amazing advancements in Artificial Intelligence and its ability to design complex machine learning, also known as artificial neural networks (ANN). Why is this important? The day will come when cars will drive autonomously, when security systems will be able to spot or identify a terror suspect, and when applied to physical security, situational awareness is enhanced by identifying anomalous events.

The more I talk to John, the more I learn. As humans, we have the senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and feeling. That activity is reported to our brain, allowing us to make decisions on how to proceed from one activity to another. ANN works similarly, but makes decisions based on logic and with constant evaluation.

When I asked for another 30 minutes of John’s time, I had you, the reader, in mind and asked him to share his thoughts on what I felt was a game changer. I invited John to write our cover story in this issue of Security Today, because I know he understands how leveraging AI will recognize certain conditions that increase a threat to a facility, and to the people inside. I’m thinking security on a K-12 campus and the valuable assets, otherwise known as students.

I believe you will enjoy his story, because it is a game changer.

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2019 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Just as Expected

    GSX produced a wonderful tradeshow earlier this week. Monday was surprisingly strong in the morning, and the afternoon wasn’t bad at all. That’s Monday’s results and asking attendees to travel on Sunday. Just a quick hint, no one wants to give up their weekend to travel and set up an exhibit booth. I’m just saying. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • NOLA: The Crescent City

    Twenty years later we finds ourselves in New Orleans. Twenty years ago the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced exhibitors and attendees to look elsewhere for tradeshow floor space. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • Nothing Artificial About this Intelligence

    I have been looking forward to this year’s GSX show in New Orleans, the Cresent City, or if you prefer The Big Easy. It seems like quite a while since we’ve been here. Twenty years ago, ASIS, as it was known then was literally washed out of the city by someone known as Katrina. It is a good thing to come back to NOLA. Read Now

  • From Monitors to Mission Control

    Security Operations Centers (SOC) were once defined by rows of static monitors, each displaying a single feed with operators quietly watching for issues. That model has become obsolete. Incidents evolve too quickly, data comes from multiple locations, and decisions must be made in seconds—not minutes. Read Now

  • New Gas Monkey Garage Venue Uses AI-Enhanced Video Technology

    Gas Monkey Garage, the automotive custom shop and entertainment brand founded by Richard Rawlings of Fast N’ Loud TV fame, has opened a vibrant new restaurant and bar in South Dakota, equipped with advanced, AI-enhanced video tech from IDIS Americas. Read Now

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.