In today’s digital age, security concerns revolve almost entirely around cybersecurity. However, in a world of growing geopolitical and societal challenges, securing our physical environments – whether in workplaces, schools, hospitals, leisure facilities or indeed any public place — is an equally urgent priority. Maintaining a secure society requires the implementation of surveillance technology to protect the physical spaces we use daily and ensure peoples’ safety without infringing on privacy or creating an atmosphere of mistrust.
Traditionally, ‘CCTV’ – ‘closed circuit television’ has transmitted images to one specific place from a limited number of cameras, completely independently. But running such technology as a silo inhibits a holistic approach to security. In order for an organisation to make the most informed decisions, it needs to collate and analyse data from across the wider organisational IT infrastructure.
Moreover, the integration of surveillance cameras to the organization’s core IP network is part of a wider trend called IT/OT convergence where operational technology is brought into the main IT infrastructure and managed collaboratively by the IT and OT team. Bringing operational technology in use at an organization together not only modernizes operations but enables operations to be more effective, more cost efficient and more secure. In the case of surveillance technology, the transition to IP networks also allows for the integration of AI, empowering organizations to analyze real-time video footage, identify objects, recognize patterns, and predict potential security breaches. Intelligent surveillance monitoring is seeing significant demand. According to Global Market Insights, the AI in Video Surveillance Market size was valued at USD 5.5 billion in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 15.5% between 2024 and 2032.
Protecting spaces: the need for increased surveillance
Every workplace and every public space benefits from monitored surveillance cameras that detect unusual or harmful behavior. The education system, above all in the U.S., is one sector that faces considerable challenges in ensuring a safe and secure learning environment amid increased violence.
According to CNN, there have been 45 shootings at educational institutions so far this year. Having surveillance cameras at schools and colleges not only potentially acts as a deterrent, since it increases the chances of perpetrators being recognized, but monitors activities and objects, promptly alerting staff to unusual situations or atypical behavior. By learning from camera activity, AI-enabled video systems can send real-time alerts to the appropriate person, enabling quick and effective responses.
Similarly, in healthcare following recent high-profile incidents including the case involving neonatal nurse Lucy Letby in the UK, healthcare institutions are also beginning to evaluate advanced surveillance technology to better protect vulnerable patients. By integrating intelligent security cameras, hospitals can not only ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors within the healthcare facility but also monitor patients and staff activities, to gather insights that can improve patient care and to resolve incidents quickly and effectively.
Why integration with core IT technology is critical
Many video surveillance systems today run over basic networks with small switches and limited features. However, upgrading to an advanced IP network is a simple upgrade that can boost both performance and security. It is also an essential move for higher end cameras with advanced functionality which are better suited to IP networks and to allow for integration with AI. A video system is only as strong as its weakest link. Whilst the network switches may not seem as important as the cameras, their role is just as crucial to the system’s success.
Integrating surveillance devices with core IT technology significantly enhances the deployment and management of surveillance systems. Automated configuration processes simplify the initial setup, allowing cameras to be seamlessly integrated into the network. Pre-configured templates further streamline this process, ensuring consistent installation across multiple locations.
Security is also strengthened through integration to the core IT network. It protects data transmissions from interception and enables access controls, ensuring that only authorized users can access or modify camera features. Looking ahead, tools like visitor management and emergency notification systems are increasingly being integrated into core enterprise IT to further improve security.
Efficient management of data traffic is another key benefit. By optimizing the flow of information between components, high-quality video is maintained – crucial for detailed monitoring.
However, the integration of OT technology such as video surveillance with core IT systems – and therefore merging OT teams with IT teams is not a simple process. Resistance to change from employees themselves, managing potential technical compatibility issues, and scaling the network to meet increased demands are just a few of the obstacles to integration. However, these short-term challenges are a small inconvenience given the long-term security benefits and cost savings that integrating OT, such as surveillance technology with core IT promises.
The long-term benefits to enterprises and individuals of providing integrated surveillance technology as part of their IT systems
As the digital landscape evolves, enterprises are set to gain considerable advantages from integrating surveillance technology with core IT. It will help streamline management of devices, reduce costs, provide secure, high-speed connectivity, offer enhanced traffic flow and video quality and optimize performance.
Investment in this technology will generate long-term value, using data to support business stability, drive efficiency and foster growth across organizations. The future will also see AI playing a pivotal role, enabling real-time analytics, anomaly detection, and automated monitoring to reduce overhead and minimize false alarms.
To fully leverage these advancements, organizations will need to cultivate a strong culture of security awareness and promote collaboration between IT and OT teams. Despite the challenges, we believe integrated surveillance technology will become the norm within the near future.
The views expressed in this article belong solely to the author and do not represent The Fast Mode. While information provided in this post is obtained from sources believed by The Fast Mode to be reliable, The Fast Mode is not liable for any losses or damages arising from any information limitations, changes, inaccuracies, misrepresentations, omissions or errors contained therein. The heading is for ease of reference and shall not be deemed to influence the information presented.
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