Why This Matters

  • By Alan Stoddard
  • Mar 24, 2023

In today's complex and rapidly changing security landscape, situational intelligence has become crucial to managing risk and protecting assets. It refers to gathering, analyzing and using information about a particular situation to make informed and effective decisions. This means understanding the current threat environment, anticipating potential risks, and responding effectively to emerging security incidents.

However, to realize situational intelligence, we must solve the data problem. The data problem in security refers to the challenges associated with managing and using the vast amounts of data generated by security systems and processes. This data can come from various sources, including video surveillance cameras, biometric systems and other sensor technologies, and human sources, such as eyewitnesses and informers.

With these millions of sensors and devices, generating vast amounts of information daily, organizations must have the systems and processes to manage this data effectively. Much of the data generated is unstructured and may take time to be helpful for analysis. This requires organizations to invest in sophisticated data analytics and machine learning technologies to turn this data into actionable intelligence.

Even with these challenges, addressing them and leveraging data to boost new levels of awareness is critically important. Here are some reasons why:

A proactive mindset. An essential aspect of situational intelligence is anticipating potential threats before they materialize. This requires a deep understanding of the threat environment and identifying indicators of forthcoming risks. This process can include monitoring social media, analyzing trends and patterns in criminal activity, and tracking the movements of illegal activity. With this information, security staff can take proactive steps to mitigate risk and prevent security incidents from occurring.

Informed response. Quick and effective response is another significant benefit of situational intelligence. When a security incident does occur, having security intelligence is essential for a quick and effective response. By having a deep understanding of the situation, security staff can quickly assess what is happening and determine the most appropriate response. This can include activating emergency procedures, evacuating the area, or calling for backup.

Data-driven decisions. Situational intelligence also enables security staff to make better decisions in the face of rapidly changing situations. With access to real-time information, security staff can assess the situation, consider all available options, and take action to mitigate risk and protect assets, such as evaluating the deployment of resources, the use of technology, or the implementation of security protocols.

Enhance collaboration. By analyzing data to enhance situational awareness, organizations realize improved cooperation between security stakeholders, including law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and private sector organizations. By sharing information and working together, these stakeholders can enhance their collective situational awareness and respond more effectively to security incidents.

Ultimately, situational intelligence aims to enhance safety and security and reduce the risk of security incidents. The road to situational intelligence does not happen overnight. There are several elements that help build a solid intelligence capability, including:

Technology. As an essential tool, technology will help automate manual security and analysis functions. Video analytics and artificial intelligence-based technologies gather data and analyze it on demand based on pre-defined parameters. AI algorithms can process large amounts of data from various sources to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate a potential security threat. This information will help assess the situation and respond appropriately, quickly, and accurately. In addition, AI can also help with predictive analytics, allowing security personnel to anticipate and mitigate potential threats before they occur.

Private/public partnerships. Multi-agency collaboration bring together the resources, expertise, and specialized skills of the private and public sector, allowing for a more comprehensive and effective security operation. Public organizations realize streamlined security operations by utilizing private sector innovation, technology, and best practices, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. A clear framework for accountability, with private and public partners working towards common goals and be held accountable for their responsibilities, results in new levels of situational awareness.

Training and education. Finally, it is essential to ensure that security staff have the training and education to use the data that drives greater situational intelligence effectively. This can include training in data analysis, decision-making, and incident response, as well as in the use of technology and collaboration skills. Standard operating procedures are essential to implement as well so that all stakeholders know how to best respond when a security event occurs.

Situational intelligence is a critical component of modern security management. By anticipating potential threats, responding quickly and effectively to incidents, making informed decisions, and collaborating effectively with other security stakeholders, security staff can help to reduce risk and protect assets.

To build a robust situational intelligence capability, organizations must focus on data collection and analysis, use technology, encourage collaboration and information sharing, and provide ongoing training and education to security staff.

By taking these steps, organizations can ensure they have the situational intelligence they need to stay ahead of the threat landscape and effectively manage risk in an ever-changing security environment.

This article originally appeared in the March / April 2023 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.