Actionable Intelligence

Turning misconceptions of AI into dynamic security solutions

There is no doubt that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay, as new AI-driven solutions are pervasive across every category of professional and consumer electronics today. This is especially true in the professional security arena – both in terms of physical and cyber security – as exciting new AI-driven solutions promise to move the industry from passive monitoring to predictive analysis modes of operation. The ability to autonomously collect and analyze vast amounts of data from holistically integrated security systems also opens-up a myriad of new business intelligence applications across the enterprise.

Yet, despite the pervasiveness of AI technology, it is still widely misunderstood, and that is understandable after hearing comments from some of the most respected technology gurus of our time who portend that AI will be death of civilization or believe that sci-fimovies portray an accurate picture of the future. It is important to separate media grandstanding and fiction from the real science behind AI and the pragmatic benefits it promises to deliver. For the purposes of this discussion, let’s focus on the latter purely from the perspective of the professional security market.

Video surveillance, access control and other related physical security systems have progressed in quantum leaps over the past several years. It was not all that long ago that we were all looking at grainy B&W images from analog CCTV cameras, and access control was relegated to keys and guards who manually logged individuals entry/egress activities with a ballpoint pen.

The truth of the matter is that the seemingly rapid evolution from analog to digital to networked, and now intelligent state of technology, has actually been in the works for quite some time – actually since the 1940s. This is when research first began on developing computational models that would eventually evolve into artifi- cial neural networks, which provide the foundation and processing power for AI and machine learning technology as we know it today.

According to Wikipedia, artificial neural networks, otherwise referred to as connectionist systems, are computing systems that are inspired by biological neural networks like those in human brains. Such systems have the capacity to “learn” to perform tasks by considering examples, generally without being programmed with taskspeci fic rules. This is essentially how the term “artificial intelligence” and the alternate term for AI, “machine learning”, came into being as a means of describing a new generation of smart machines and devices capable of making autonomous decisions.

Many of today’s new physical security solutions actually live up to the long-standing expectations of AI with the ability to autonomously learn and analyze situations and then make decisions based on the data. These new solutions employ one or more of three different electronic learning techniques: Supervised learning. Where continuous feedback is presented to formulate decisions.

Unsupervised learning. Where decisions are based on estimation of statistical data received by an input source or device,

Reinforcement learning. Where rules are adjusted based on a combination of estimating data inputs and pre-established rules to reach the desired results.

There are several relatively new, yet highly familiar professional, security solutions trending today that adhere to these AI models, including intelligent AI surveillance cameras, dynamic and adaptive facial recognition, video redaction, and physical and software enabled IoT sensor technologies. When used in combination, the aforementioned solutions transform traditional security monitoring and recording systems into sources of actionable intelligence enabling new forms of predictive analysis.

Unfortunately, it often takes a cataclysmic event to identify the need for new and innovative security solutions that migrate into the mainstream thereafter. The ongoing pandemic is no exception. New integrated AI-driven security and health safety solutions have made their way to market to help address current challenges and compliance mandates.

  • Automatically identifying, authenticating and tracking individuals upon entering a facility or campus.
  • Automatically identify individuals who are not wearing face masks in environments where masks are required.
  • Automatically detecting and identifying individuals with elevated body temperature.
  • Automatically restricting access or redirecting individuals who may require additional screening or attention.
  • Redacting innocent individuals’ faces from video that is being used to apprehend suspects or as video evidence.
  • Detecting anomalies in the environment or standard operations that pose a potential threat or liability.

Although we now perceive these intelligent integrated solutions as specific measures to combat the pandemic, we should anticipate that they will become permanent criteria for safe and secure facilities and healthy buildings moving forward. A perfect example of this was the widespread adoption of metal detectors and body scanners following 9/11.

This level of integrated intelligence represents the tip of the iceberg in relation to the wide range of new and emerging professional security applications for AI-driven software and hardware solutions. This is relevant to new and relatively inexpensive sensors and analytics that can easily supplement traditional surveillance cameras and software solutions such as VMS and access control management platforms.

The additional data from new sensor solutions further increases situational awareness by providing the ability to detect potentially threatening anomalies. Examples include everything from audio analytics to detect and identify screams, gunshots, explosions and glass breaking to environmental sensors that recognize noxious fumes and gasses, smoke and fire, and feel vibrations such as explosions or earthquakes.

As we constantly hear on the news these days, it is important that we “follow the science” as it pertains to AI – which is a win-win for security professionals, users and integrators alike.

This article originally appeared in the April 2021 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. 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.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • 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.