Meeting the growing demand for integrated intelligent security systems.
An entire industry is working today to ensure the safety of businesses: buildings, employees and customers. In 2008, according to Fredonia Group estimates, companies worldwide spent $ 73 billion on security needs.
40% of the revenue currently generated in the security market comes from sales of integrated security systems. According to Security Distribution and Marketing magazine, other major components are CCTV systems (19%) and access control and management systems (14%). Sales and installations of integrated systems allow manufacturers to earn the lion's share of revenue, as they help reduce costs, are easy to use and significantly increase the security of the physical and logical assets of the business and the owner as a whole.
The key to achieving these figures are three important benefits of integration: — a single user interface for all building systems;
— the ability to manage all systems, including remote ones, from one or more computers at any time, anywhere;
— the ability to add intelligence to security systems and link them with business management systems.
Unified security interface
Modern technologies in the field of security management are developing rapidly. Whereas previously they were considered as a set of individual processes, procedures and equipment aimed at protecting objects or databases from unauthorized access or use, security is now considered as an all-encompassing and more software-oriented than hardware-oriented system. For example, PIN codes and identification badges are currently being replaced by intelligent identification systems that use fingerprints, handprints, eye scans, facial recognition or radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to recognize people and verify the level of access to objects and information.
As security systems become more intelligent, forward-thinking businesses are demanding the ability to integrate these technologies into building management systems (BMS) and, ultimately, IT and business management systems. Optimal integration allows companies to use these modern systems for security purposes and thereby add value to their business. 2007 marked the beginning of an evolution in this integration of security systems. Today, most buildings use a mixture of different security networks with 24/7 monitoring systems that help security personnel and systems grant or deny access to facilities or information. These buildings also contain networks and systems that monitor and control elevators, energy costs, fire safety, HVAC equipment, and lighting. Often, these networks are monitored by a variety of unrelated monitoring tools.
Companies interested in implementing a system that offers increased business efficiency and unlimited security management are installing new integrated systems. Integrated management systems can be installed both during the construction of new buildings and as an add-on to existing systems. The ultimate goal is to link all networks and life support systems of a building with a single IP network.
IP allows all networks connected to an integrated security system to be linked together and controlled by a single management body. IP-based management tools provide the operations team with greater flexibility in management, reprogrammability and expanded functionality. They can access and manage the system and the networks connected to it using a single computer or several, using web technology when necessary.
A unified security management environment also reduces operational complexity, which in itself improves overall security. For example, the main security systems in use today are burglar alarms, access control, and video surveillance. If each of these systems is purchased and managed separately, training and managing the systems can be difficult for a company or building/property owner. This is because the burglar alarm is in one system, the badges are managed by a stand-alone database, and the intelligent digital video recording devices are managed by dedicated computer equipment. Each system requires separate monitoring, maintenance, operation, management, and training.
By integrating individual systems into a comprehensive enterprise management system, building owners reduce their initial investment and ultimately receive significantly more powerful security solutions. New capabilities are implemented and staff are trained to use them in a single system. This training is much less complex than training security staff to service each new system or to upgrade existing systems. Security managers have less anxiety when adding new elements to the system because these elements are integrated into the interface of a single security system, reducing the cost and time required to train staff to achieve the desired result.
When it comes to the benefits of using a single network, it is worth saying that security services have the opportunity to significantly increase their efficiency by using the ability of all building networks to work together and exchange data and information. When an emergency occurs, security personnel (or the systems themselves in automatic mode) can activate door locks, turn on or off lights in the room, start video recording, monitor with video cameras and, as a result, get a clearer picture of what is happening. Employees have the ability to increase the video resolution or frame rate, stop elevators or engage other building controls in order to increase security and collect information for immediate response and further decision-making.
For example, many businesses install software with video analytics capabilities that monitor for suspicious patterns of movement in a camera's field of view, such as falling or climbing a fence. It also helps security managers zero in on trouble spots by configuring the video equipment to only show images when a specific incident or alarm occurs. Employees have the ability to pan and tilt the cameras and zoom in when needed, and search through the video stored on the DVRs. When the facility management system detects an alarm, the DVR switches from monitoring mode to recording mode, showing the camera's image in the trouble spot, automatically creating a map of the trouble spot, and emailing it to the administrator, all at the same time.
Integration also allows different departments of the company to access and use the security system and its networks for their own purposes. It is important to remember that while a single interface may provide multiple people with access to the system, it does not give everyone the same access to what is controlled by the system. In fact, objects and information can be locked or unlocked for each specific person or group of people. Security is also enhanced because all actions of people using or managing the integrated security system are recorded in the system's central database. It takes much more effort and resources to track, manage usage, and control access to multiple non-integrated systems.
The sharing of data and information made possible by a single interface allows security managers to change security modes or levels in an instant or increase the amount of data captured by dedicated systems. This type of system design truly improves the efficiency of a company’s business. Sharing information also improves the safety of building occupants because it helps security personnel identify problems and respond to alarms more quickly and accurately. For example, information contained in an occupancy report helps security personnel make informed decisions when a building needs to be evacuated. The ability to easily communicate across all systems integrated into a single network results in better reporting and a deeper understanding of the current status of the facility by employees.
Managing the security of multiple objects
The benefits of an integrated security system for a single building also apply to a distributed facility managed by a single company, regardless of the number of facilities and their geographic location. When connected to a centralized facility via an IP connection, each branch security system or network is monitored and controlled by the same computer/interface used to monitor security at the main facility.
In addition to reducing capital and operating expenses, connecting branches to a centralized, integrated security system provides another important benefit. Employees traveling from one branch to another are already familiar with the security processes and procedures, since they are identical at each branch. For example, a person from the United States travels to an office located overseas or in another city for work, and there is no need to train him in security procedures or issue him a new card or PIN.
Additionally, because all sites are connected to a centralized management system, security changes made in one office can be instantly applied to all company locations. Businesses can quickly implement enhanced security measures at any time of day or night in areas where a threat exists, whether local, regional, or international. For example, if a security officer in London detects a threat to a company’s locations in a region where the locations are already closed for the night, he can make adjustments to the site’s system settings directly from London.
In addition to managing multiple departments from a single computer, security managers can manage integrated security systems from a variety of devices, anytime, anywhere. For example, if remote control is needed, web pages, PDAs, cell phones, and communicators can be used to provide access to the system. If an evacuation is necessary, security managers can evacuate the building and still monitor all systems on site.
Return on investment in core business
When a company decides to link an integrated security system and its subsystems to its building management system and its business management systems, it has a real opportunity to recoup its investment in both security and the core business. Data from the security system can be combined with data in the building management system and business systems in a way that has a direct impact on the company's profit and loss. For example, a chain store owner might use this approach as a theft protection measure. Using the security system's video cameras in conjunction with the business systems, the store owner could determine when merchandise has been returned or stolen in order to identify employees involved in the theft.
Another vertical market that could use security cameras to add value is public transportation. For example, a public transportation authority could use security cameras to manage crowd flow at subway stations. The cameras, combined with video analytics software and other advanced tools, could be used to count the number of people waiting for transit at different times of the day. Public transportation officials could use this data to optimize train schedules and reduce the number of people waiting during peak hours, thereby reducing the risk of safety incidents at stations. Reducing crowding would also likely have a positive impact on revenue and profitability, as people would feel more comfortable using public transportation.
Summary
For building owners and property managers, as well as businesses, tenants, and customers involved in any business, adding integrated and intelligent security systems offers numerous benefits. Such a system allows for quick installation and reduced operating costs because it does not contain redundant components and allows customers to simplify their operations. Intelligence and integration lead to reduced training time for employees and empower system operators, allowing them to perform their duties more effectively.
Increased safety and comfort for workers and customers can also have a direct and positive impact on business productivity and efficiency. This is especially true when the security and building management systems are linked to business systems. Fully integrated, intelligent security systems help building owners and tenants achieve their security goals, and help companies achieve their core business goals.