From Smart CCTV Installations To Advanced Access Control: How Tech Is Improving Commercial Security

Technology is growing at such an alarming rate that it’s even hard for scientists and tech experts to keep up! Although there are plenty of debates around whether the rapid expansion of tech is good or not for humanity in the long run, there is little doubt that it can make us all safer and more secure when used for good. The security industry is just as affected by technology as any other industry. Here, we take a look at smart CCTV installations, advanced access control systems and other ways that tech is influencing the security industry.

Smart CCTV Installations

Investing in a CCTV installation at your commercial property is a tried and tested method of protecting your business from the threat of theft, vandalisation and intrusion. CCTV installations provide an effective deterrent against crime as a visual warning for potential criminals looking for a commercial property to burglarise or vandalise. They also provide an effective method of gathering evidence for the police to use in any subsequent investigations.

Smart CCTV is the latest development in CCTV technology, providing additional security through improvements in monitoring and the speed with which a break-in is registered by the cameras and connected with the rest of the security system. Smart CCTV installations feed footage from the cameras directly to your phones, tablet or other central control systems. Moreover, smart CCTV installations will alert you whenever they detect movement and send an alert directly to your device as well as upload the footage to the cloud. Combined, these features of smart CCTV installations ensure that you can have eyes on your property wherever you are in the world, at any time. With cloud storage, you will always be able to access any footage required immediately to pass over to the police.

In the UK, convictions for burglaries are way down, as reduced numbers of police struggle to remain on top of crime. As such, having direct evidence that can be used for a charge is an essential part of ensuring that a burglary at your property is dealt with swiftly.

Advances Access Control Systems

Access control technology is widely used by businesses to help control and monitor the number of people accessing a building. It can also restrict access to certain areas of a building, only giving access to those at the management level of an organisation. Often, access control systems use either passwords or a fob to grant access to a certain area of a building. However, there are developments in technology that may provide yet more security for businesses.

Much like other security systems, mobile and smart devices are becoming more prominent. Mobile access control systems, which allow users to unlock certain doors through an app on their phone, are becoming increasingly popular as a practical, secure and efficient system of access control. As well as this, using a fingerprint as the key for an access control system has become one of the most secure ways of protecting a building. These access control systems will only activate when a recognised fingerprint is pressed against the sensor. This makes it much more difficult for criminals to attempt a break-in by working out a password or stealing a fob.

Remote Monitoring and The Internet of Things

As mentioned in the above examples, remote monitoring, smart technology and The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming increasingly integrated into existing security systems. Through remote monitoring, CCTV, alarm systems and access control systems can be analysed, followed and acted upon immediately from anywhere in the world. IoT systems, which allow the individual elements of a security ecosystem in a property to connect, communicate ensure that you have oversight over everything that goes on at your property. For example, CCTV might notice activity within a building in the middle of the night over the weekend, that footage would then feed to your mobile, where you could see whether the access control system was used and set off the alarm, or notify the authorities, from wherever you are in the world!

Cloud-based Systems

Much like the IoT, cloud computing is another development that has seeped into many aspects of our work lives. During COVID-19, cloud computing has allowed employees to share and collaborate on work from the comfort of their own home. Cloud computing systems have also become a popular tool for travelling freelancers, who perform their work while on the go but require a reliable and secure method of storing data. For security systems, these benefits of cloud computing have become increasingly popular. As mentioned already, recordings from CCTV installations can be saved to the cloud, as can data from access control systems. Being on the cloud, this data can be accessed from anywhere in the world. If the police require access to security data for an investigation, they will be able to do so through cloud computing software, which is easily accessible and can be downloaded by users with the necessary access.

Machine Learning & Cybersecurity

When it comes to keeping your business safe, doing so online is now just as, if not more, important than keeping your property secure. More often than not, the two are intertwined. A weak IT system that is prone to hacking could easily be the downfall of the physical building as well. If passcodes for access control systems and other protective systems are unpicked by hackers, then a commercial building could be under serious threat from burglary.

One way that cybersecurity can stay a step ahead of cybercriminals and hackers is through the integration of machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI). AI IT system security takes a range of information from the global information network, gaining knowledge about the latest threats, and then applies it to cybersecurity measures. This constant learning of new threats and developing viruses helps ensure that AI security systems are always prepared for new viruses. They can learn much quicker than humans and adapt responses to potential cyber threats accordingly.

Drones

Drones have been in the news a lot over the past few years. Originally used for the military, they have since become popular Christmas toys, tools for photographers and will potentially even be used as the couriers of the future! Although using drones as a security measure may still seem incredibly dystopian to us, the benefits of using them cannot be overlooked. With an ‘eye in the sky’ drones provide excellent situational awareness for security guards on the ground to act upon. If a perpetrator is hiding out of sight, security guards can be directed to their location through cameras attached to drones. Moreover, it’s possible to integrate loudspeakers with drones to instruct criminals that they have been found and to turn themselves in. Although the widespread use of drones for security is not yet here, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them protecting businesses very soon.

Augmented Reality Training Programmes

Finally, the development of exciting technology can also help security professionals train and improve their skills. By using augmented reality technology (AR), which digitally augments the area around a user with pre-programmed environments and threats, real-life security situations can be played out without the risk of any injury or property damage. Using AR, the habits and techniques of criminals can be programmed into a digital criminal who a security professional will have to catch or intercept before they carry out a crime. AR has been touted as a technology to watch when it comes to training and development schemes in a range of industries.

For High-Quality CCTV Installation and Commercial Access Control Systems, Contact Shuretech Today

Have you been looking for a reliable security company in Reading to provide you with professional CCTV installation and access control installation services? If so, look no further than Shuretech. We provide a range of security installation services across Reading and the surrounding areas. We supply, install and maintain a variety of security systems in the area to ensure that your business is properly protected all year round.

All of our engineers are experienced, health and safety accredited and provide a professional and reliable service to every client they work with. We have provided our services to clients in sectors including local authorities, property developers, retailers, the NHS and manufacturing. We use high-quality materials which we source from local manufacturers and always endeavour to provide a cost-effective service. With a decade of experience, we should be your choice for any CCTV installations, access control system installations or maintenance work you require in Reading and beyond.

To find out more about our services, please feel free to contact us today. You can find us at Nestings, Jigs Lane North, Warfield, Berkshire, RG42 3DH. Alternatively, call us on 01344 307 350 or email us at sales@shuretech.co.uk.