Overall Security

Define the basic parameters for software and hardware classification

The physical security industry, and the technologies that drive it, continue to evolve and advance at a rapid pace. Much of the attention has been focused on new software products and applications that enable a host of intelligent video surveillance and security capabilities. These range from new imaging and biometrics to smart analytics and highly integrated and autonomous software platforms.

But what is the underlying driver behind these programming advancements? There are two opposing schools of thought when approaching this question: one being the decades-long developments in software and the other being the continued advancements of the physical hardware devices that provide the foundation for the software to run on. Before diving into this deeper, let’s establish some basic defined parameters for what classifies as software and hardware.

PROCESS AND PROCEDURE

Software is a rather general term used to describe a collection of programs, processes and procedures that perform given tasks on a computer or are embedded in products like IP cameras, video servers or access controllers.

Software is typically classified as being either system or application specific, such as video management or access control system platforms versus facial recognition or object identification applications. Hardware is essentially a physical device that you can see and/or touch, even if on the tiniest scale.

Software and hardware interact with one another with the software directing the hardware on which series of tasks it needs to execute and at the precise moment those tasks should be performed. While it is common to switch and/or enhance software or use multiple software applications at a time, hardware is less frequently changed. In most cases, software can be more easily created, changed or deleted than hardware products. Adjustments or replacements to hardware typically are more complex and expensive.

There is much to be said for the “hardware as a foundation” school of thought, as all software must use some form of hardware to operate. To get a better grasp of this concept, let’s look at three fundamental hardware classifications prevalent in the physical security industry: cameras and imaging devices, recording and storage products, and microprocessors.

It wasn’t that long ago that analog surveillance cameras, once referred to as “CCTV” cameras, and dominated the physical security landscape. The transition from tube cameras to imaging sensors to digital signal processing and on to megapixel sensors with 1080p and 4K resolution has transformed video from grainy black and white pictures to laser sharp color imagery that is viewable under even the most challenging lighting conditions. These and other hardware advancements enable today’s cameras to capture better images and deliver enhanced situational awareness.

Multi-sensor panoramic cameras are a perfect example of this advanced technology. They are capable of providing widearea HD surveillance with powerful processors driving versatile features and intelligence at the edge.

Although the performance benefits of today’s highly advanced surveillance cameras are quite obvious on the surface, their hidden advantage is the vast amounts of video data they produce to feed specific software applications. Identifying subtle facial details and characteristics, the precise color of an individual’s clothing or vehicle, license plate numbers on moving vehicles and more are capabilities that are totally reliant on the quality of the video.

The same holds true for most video analytics like motion detection, object detection, and direction indication built into today’s more advanced imaging edge devices. To put it simply, the higher the image resolution, frequency and density of information transfer, the more data is available for precise analysis.

Image storage is another hardware-dependent requirement driving advanced operations. Beyond pure storage capacity, the writing and access speeds of new storage technologies is paramount. Consider the evolution of storage media specifically for physical security operations ranging from celluloid film to videotape, to hard disk drives and now to solid state or chip-based storage media. Today’s digital storage systems enable software to run at incredibly fast speeds capable of processing millions of operations in miniscule amounts of time. These hardware devices enable AI-embedded features and functionality to run virtually in real time.

Microprocessor development is also a hardware-based technology that is co-dependent on software to the extent that without one the other could not exist. The development of single board computers and central processing units in the mid-seventies spawned a new era of processing devices that are now employed in a multitude of physical security solutions. Microprocessors control almost every function of every video, access control and fire/alarm security product available today, carrying out millions of operations every second.

Such accelerated processing speeds allow products and the systems where they are deployed to react to various inputs and triggers quickly and automatically.

This article originally appeared in the July / August 2021 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • 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.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.