5 Ways Video Analytics Can Make Your Site More Secure?

With the advancements in data processing and artificial intelligence, the security industry has also kept pace. Modern security cameras take in large amounts of information rather than just recording footage. Footage can be now analyzed, understood and flagged automatically by the intelligent video management software to give you deeper insights about your security and operations.

This blog talks about how video analytics, specifically AI-powered video analytics can improve security for your business.

Video analytics or video content analytics makes use of the security footage being recorded to derive valuable insights which can then be used in real-time as well as later on to make decisions. It utilizes specialized algorithms to extract information, analyze it and provide results. Using a combination of computer vision and machine learning, video analytics can act as your eyes and ears around the entire site keeping tabs on everything that happens on there.

Video analytics has emerged as a crucial part of security systems because something as important as security monitoring has such high stakes that it cannot be left to humans prone to negligence. Research in the US has suggested that security personnel watching surveillance footage can experience fatigue “in as little as 12 minutes, overlooking up to 45% of activity in the camera scenes. After just 22 minutes, that increases up to 95% of overlooked activity.”

Video analytics performs various functions which enables it to be used across various industries for a wide variety of purposes. Video analytics processes large amounts of data in the form of video footage to provide actionable insights.

This is done through two ways:

It is either built into the security camera which records, processes and transmits data directly to the central monitoring location. This is commonly referred to as “edge analytics” which means that the sensor is on the recording device i.e. the security camera.

It is enabled through the Video Management Software (VMS) in which the security camera only records video which is transmitted and then available to process at the central monitoring location.

Whichever method is used, however, it allows for real-time insights with no delay so you can proactively take action if any incident happens. Most commonly used video analytics features are enabled through the VMS which utilizes more processing power and gives faster results.

Depending on how video analytics is programmed, it can be used for the following functions:

With widespread applications in numerous industries, video analytics Cameras has prevalent usage in the security industry as well. With the recent advancement in AI, video analysis is now faster and more accurate than ever.

Here are 5 distinct ways video analytics can help improve security on your business site:

Modern security systems do not rely only on humans and physical guards to patrol and monitor activity. Now with advanced AI and video analytics, security cameras can detect if anything happens on site and report to the security team.

Along with recording footage and reporting on it, video analytics also allows evidence collection so that you do not have to worry about sifting through hours of footage. This proves useful in coordinating with law enforcement in case an incident happens, or even with the insurance company, resulting in lower premiums and easier claims.

Pairing surveillance powered by video analytics with access control systems can make your site more secure. This means that in addition to using keycards, fobs and biometric verification, security cameras can also be used to allow access to the premises.

Verification Through Facial Recognition: Access can be granted by recognizing and matching a person’s face with a set database. This is a contactless and more secure way of access control verification because it cannot be fooled.

Preventing Tailgating: Video analytics can be programmed to monitor activity for tailgating. Tailgating is when two people access the site in rapid succession, with the second person entering without identifying themselves. Video analytics can help prevent such instances by flagging and reporting them.

Occupancy Management: For when sites are at maximum capacity, video analytics can count and restrict access to ensure protocols. This feature was used specifically during COVID-19 to ensure stricter lockdowns and maintain social distancing.

Security personnel are required to work long hours and remain alert for prolonged periods of time. This can cause fatigue and negligence resulting in a security incident. Video analytics lends a helping hand to catch whatever physical guards or security monitoring personnel might miss.

Proper Screening For Access Control: Security guards may miss dangerous items that the person entering the building may be in possession of, however, video analytics can recognize and alert authorities in case it captures such an object.

Detecting Suspicious Activity: Security personnel monitoring activity on a screen are prone to missing out things which is why video analytics can capture and raise alarms for suspicious activity such as a person wandering on sight, glass breaking, or a vehicle outside of working hours.

Managing and maintaining security cameras is just as important as having them in the first place. If overlooked, they can render security cameras useless, basically leaving you without security. Video and security camera analytics can help you keep up with security maintenance as well.

Security Camera Health: This allows you to view which cameras are acting up and need maintenance. It also provides alerts if a camera goes down or faces distortion or black screen. All the information can be made available in a single dashboard that provides all maintenance related information at a glance.

Tamper Alert Notifications: Modern security camera systems with video analytics can also notify you in case they are tampered with, angles shifted, or video obstructed by an object. This allows easier maintenance and proactive management of security cameras so you do not miss out on security footage.

Video analytics not only finds applications in security, but also helps with improving operational aspects. People detection and counting, vehicle monitoring and other such features can be used to manage customers and improve service efficiency.

Automated Announcements For Crowd Management: In case people start gathering in one part of the establishment, announcements can be automated so that when crowds are detected, they can be told to disperse or relocate to more open spaces to clear up room.

1. Improved Shopping Experience: With behavior detection, pattern recognition, and heat maps, store layouts can be improved to reduce clutter, manage checkout lines, and improve customer experience for your store. Video analytics automates business security processes, ensuring a safe and smooth operation.
2. Retail Billing Verification: With point-of-sale monitoring at retail stores, video analytics can cross-reference and verify billing providing timestamps for each transaction so you have an additional financial control on the billing at large retail stores.
3. Workplace Occupancy Monitoring: Operational efficiency and safety can be improved as well through analytics to identify potential risks before they present themselves and ensure that proper procedures are being followed.

Video analytics has tons of other applications as well in various industries in which it helps promote efficiency, effectiveness and drives better decision making by providing valuable and actionable insights.

If you are looking to install security cameras for your business in Canada, Spotter Security is your go-to security provider. Spotter Security has been in the security industry for over 20 years helping businesses secure their premises with security cameras, access control systems, alarm systems, live video monitoring and security system maintenance.

With experience in securing businesses from various industries including construction, retail, corporate, warehousing, shipping and logistics, Spotter Security knows the ins and outs of security management for businesses. We take a problem solving approach to security and focus on reliability instead of selling you a complex and expensive system.

Video analytics is the future of security video surveillance. If you are in the market for a new security system, or looking to upgrade your existing system, it would be prudent to consider video analytics an essential part of the system to make your site more secure, help you take action proactively and protect your assets and people more effectively.