Creating More Versatility

AI engines stay one step ahead for security solutions

• By Monique Merhige
• Mar 05, 2025

Today, AI has become top of mind for most security professionals. It is the topic of conversation in the technology world and continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions.

AI enabled software uses artificial intelligence techniques to perform tasks and simulate human intelligence by using data analysis, prediction, process automation and decision-making with minimal human intervention. Most organizations are planning to use AI in the future and look to their trusted security partners to help guide them.

“We understood the need for remote real-time event-based monitoring systems as early as 2005, however there were missing elements to our early development efforts which included available compute power, bandwidth and cloud availability, as well as edge processing and AI and Machine Leaning (ML) capabilities,” said David Antar, an industry veteran and president of ViewScan Inc. the developers of ViewScanAI, “It took a pandemic to create demand, and advances in Graphic Processing Units (GPU’s) to bring all the pieces together to build a comprehensive edge solution that offer our customers a proactive threat detection system that goes well beyond security.”

“It is all about leveraging AI driven analytics that “learn” what is normal versus abnormal for real time event management, situational awareness and to address potential threats before they escalate into dangerous situations. Lastly, giving customers the ability to add advanced analytic capabilities to their existing camera systems brings new life, at an affordable cost, to their security network,” he said.

One of the main benefits of implementing a comprehensive monitoring solution is the ability to see everything going on at your facility at any time and from anywhere. It allows video, sensors, and access control events to be accessible from a secure web browser or mobile device creating an effortless way for end users to check their properties and facilities remotely.

It can also save money by reallocating the number of resources, or security staff needed at a specific location. Traditional on-site security teams can be expensive and prone to limitations. In addition, organizations are finding it extremely difficult to find qualified guards, plus having one guard on staff is not sufficient to cover an entire property.

“Our ViewScanAI software is cloud supported or can be tailored as an On-prem solution, reduces costs while offering a scalable solution that can adapt easily to end user requirements. As an example, our ViewScan Gatehouse/Entrance Manager uses two-way video, two-way audio and advanced analytics to replace a human at an unattended entrance while providing an extremely personal experience for visitors,” Antar said. All of this is done through a secure, single web-based application that also creates an audit trail of visitors’ faces, license plates and vehicles for future recalls.

AI Paves the Way to Improved Safety
Whether watching an individual location or multiple facilities across regions, an AI-driven solution will pave the way to improved safety and security. AI has transformed security technology to become even more versatile by allowing end users to protect more while spending less.

“AI analytics is a paradigm shift in how we think about security. It is not just about initiative-taking event response; it’s about creating safer, smarter spaces where people can thrive without fear,” said Steven V. McCory, director of Business Development at ViewScan. Here are examples of how AI technology is helping to solve industry-specific issues.

Healthcare. Facilities are faced with a myriad of challenges daily that range from theft, unauthorized access, violence against healthcare workers and patient wandering. To combat these issues, hospitals and assisted living facilities are looking for initiative-taking ways to protect staff, patients and visitors.

AI-driven video technology, access control and smart sensors – are helping hospital administrators and security teams keep people safe. A major threat at assisted living facilities is preventing seniors from wandering off the property. With early visual wandering notification, alerts can be sent at once to prevent a resident from leaving the premises.

Sensor technology can also be used to track occupancy in any specified area of a facility and detect if there are too many people in a particular area. AI cameras can watch people walking to their car in a parking lot and prevent muggings or car thefts from happening. Emergency strobes and panic alarms can be activated quickly if operators verify an emergency through AI. Remote operators can even speak through intercoms to deter threats and prevent criminals from committing a crime.

Construction. Creating safety protocols at construction sites is more important than ever due to the alarming number of accidents reported each year. With new construction PPE requirements, compliance has become a huge issue along with theft, vandalism, and safety violations. AI technology can help monitor these sites to ensure compliance and help reduce general liability insurance costs.

Real-time video event verification can also prevent thefts and unauthorized access and help safeguard construction sites throughout the world.

“With our AI-driven software solution, response times are typically within 20 seconds from event creation. If a person is detected, an AI event is created, sent to the cloud with a 10 second video, our operator then clicks on it for review and makes a final decision on next steps,” Antar said.

Corporate buildings. Commercial properties of all sizes tend to have high foot traffic with employees, vendors, customers and guests coming in and out daily. This creates a substantial risk of trespassing, theft and vandalism.

New AI technology can safeguard a building to ensure that the entire perimeter from the exterior to the interior is secured without having a physical person at the front service desk. The latest technology can also provide contactless delivery for UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service, making it extremely cost-effective for organizations. Business owners can remotely watch mail rooms and warehouses through access control with QR codes or facial recognition to help secure the premises.

Schools. Throughout the country, schools are continually faced with risks ranging from aggression, bullying, active shooter, vaping/drug usage, etc. By implementing the latest AI technology, school administrators can keep a better eye on school grounds and improve student safety.

It can also offer live “event” driven video surveillance that relies on AI to send alerts if something looks amiss on campus. More schools are taking an initiative-taking approach to security and mitigating risks early on.

With an intelligent video monitoring solution, schools can check security cameras with a remote command center 24/7.

“Our unique ViewScan Protect service powered by ViewScanAI Cloud is staffed by highly trained Military Retirees and Disabled American Veterans,” Antar said. “Our 4-step process, developed over years in the industry, enables our agents to respond up to 10x faster than traditional intrusion systems that may not even see incidents occurring until several minutes after they have already occurred.”

Government office. State and local government offices can also take advantage of advances in AI driven analytic platforms, but instead of using the cloud for event notification they can securely run the same analytics “On Prem” without creating concerns of cloud solutions for their IT departments.

Multifamily. A key market for remote monitoring services is multifamily housing. Property managers are always looking for ways to reduce costs, create greater efficiencies and safer environments for their residents. It also makes accessing the building easier for residents and enhances manager’s situational awareness and oversight. Being able to track who is coming in and out of the building remotely is priceless.

Portable surveillance. Another area for continued growth, uses solar powered trailers as well as ground-based and aerial drones coupled with advanced AI driven analytics. This capability enables rapid deployable surveillance at remote and un-staffed via cellular and Starlink satellite communications.

“Our operators have unique skills and are readily adaptable to changing situations and scenarios that are outside the skillset of normal video monitoring capabilities,” Antar said.

Keeping Up the Pace
The possibilities are endless as AI technology keeps advancing, taking capabilities beyond security into operations and other areas. As we move forward, there will be even more powerful solutions coming to market as the AI engine continues to evolve.

“Our AI Analytics has revolutionized security by combining proactive threat detection, real-time event verification, and emergency response into one scalable, cost-effective solution. From facial recognition to theft and weapon detection, it creates safer, smarter spaces for businesses, facilities, and communities,” McCory said.

In today’s fast-paced world, security threats are evolving rapidly, and traditional solutions often struggle to keep up with the pace. Whether you are safeguarding a corporate office, a retail store, a construction site, a government office or a healthcare facility, it is important to use cutting-edge AI analytics to provide unparalleled surveillance, detection, and response capabilities. Thanks to AI, we will continue to see the versatility of security expanding even further down the road, creating a clearer path to a safer world for everyone.

This article originally appeared in the March / April 2025 issue of Security Today.