Video As A total security System?
DVR, cctv camera, motion detection – does this represent a total security system?
Today I wanted to discuss briefly, the desire or the tendency that we all have, to view Video Surveillance as a total security system?
Well you know what —- Video Surveillance never was and never will be the total security system we desire it to be!
That is why there is so much dissapointment and disillusionment around it.
So what is a total security system?
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The crucial component of a total security system is “Detection”. Detection of targets – which are not restricted to people only. Detection can target objects, or behaviours, processes, etc….so it may be more apt to describe this component as “Deviation Detection”.
I am sure it is not necessary to spell out to security professionals, that Video Surveillance is notoriusly inadeqaute at detecting deviations – live. The detection rate for active surveillance is even worse than that of passive surveillance.
Once again, we need not assign too much detail to a discussion of Video Motion Detection in an outdoor environment – you all know about that element.
This unreliability though is not limited to Video Motion Detection systems.
The most commonly used detectors for physical objects are Infra-red or microwave sensors, and you know too – here we suffer high levels of False Alarms.
This brings us to the second element of a total security system.
2. Monitoring
A total security system must be able to evaluate the environment from which an alarm has been received, or more aptly “a deviation alert”. The system needs to be able to investigate the alarm and determine it’s true nature relevant to the environment.
It just so happens that Television has become so popular, and so freely available. This popularity has led to video surveillance becoming entrenched as the preferred monitoring system for physical object detection. The value usually is found in recalling an event or deviation and evaluating it.
There are other instances where active video monitoring is useful in evaluating suspected deviations in real time. (NB The video system does not detect these deviations – it only allows the operator to assess a detected deviation.)
There are technologies evolving that are designed to detect deviations, but the video aspect will always be used to evaluate these alerts.
In other instances, the tools of evaluation and recall have nothing to do with video surveillance. In some instances, video surveillance may prove useless as a deviation evaluation tool.
3. The third component of a total security system is Access Control.
No security system could operate effectively without establishing security areas. These areas can be delimited by physical barriers, such as fences. The delimiter may be in the form of authority to view, to approve, apply signature, etc.
There are various technologies that control the various forms of tangible and non tangible access controls.
Video Surveillance is not a Total Security System
From this it can be seen that Video Surveillance cannot be effective as a Deviation Detector neither can it be employed in all instances to detect breech of access control.
Video Surveillance is a very effective method of monitoring detection alerts, but it cannot be employed as a total Detection, Monitoring and Access Control security system.
The Total Security System misconception leads to dissatisfaction.
There are inexperienced and some unscrupulous operators out there. These types perpetuate the misconception that Video Surveillance is the alpha and omega of security.
We have security companies offering alarm detection only, we have those offering Video Cameras only, and we have those offering access control only!
The most likely reason being that they don’t have the skills, experience or resources to design and install a “Total Security System” that goes beyond physical hardware, and starts to address paper processes and procedures, and can integrate all three components of the total security system.
The end result is a dissatisfied customer. The customer is unhappy because the system didn’t detect a deviation , neither did it help prevent the loss, nor did it help to prosecute the perpetrator.
All of the above happened, because the system was never installed with a specific deviation or deviation set as objective.
Happy Customers result from Effective Security.
A security business will only survive, if it actually impacts on and reduces deviations or the consequences of deviations suffered by it’s clients.
In order to achieve this, it is critical that actual behavioural or proceural deviations be identified, which require monitoring.
In order to thrive, you have to ensure that your company has the skillsets needed not only to provide monitoring of deviations, but also to help customers define specific deviations and the impact of those deviations.
In addition, access control is a critical offering that your security company MUST include.
Video Surveillance is , in conclusion, an extremely valuable monitoring tool – but it is not a total security solution. This concept should not dissuade you, in fact it opens the door for you to expand your product base and income, by ensuring that your customers fully understand the function of Video Surveillance.
You cannot seriously walk into a customers premises, locate cameras for blanket coverage, and leave your customer with the expectation that these cameras will detect, prevent and correct ALL the deviations on his premises – which cause him loss.
I had the oppurtunity to visit a client in Mpumalanga, www.camtrac.co.za —- and these guys are on the right track. They have a well established video monitoring center, built on our Dahua DVR’s
They have established procedure deviation video monitoring in place- I was impressed , as that has been my sermon for some time.
Thanks Guys!
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