We have all heard the term ‘artificial intelligence’ or ‘AI’ for short. It is widely believed that in the coming years, it will have a significant impact on the physical security sector, if it has not already done so. But what does this actually mean and where is it being used?
Expert opinions on this topic are often fascinating, but not always related to the everyday use of AI — let’s go back to basics and take a look at its role in security.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the security sector. With the Security Industry Association (SIA) naming AI as the dominant trend for the second year in a row, there is no doubt that new technologies are changing the way we work.
According to a Microsoft-Accenture survey, 89% of executives agree that digital transformation is important. So, what technologies should be on our radar? And where can AI improve the efficiency of security and safety operations?
Here, we explore what we actually mean by the term ‘AI’ and how it has evolved over the years. If, as many claim, we have reached a point where AI is truly changing the world of physical security, what is its impact on the processes and people working in this sector?
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What is the difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning?
AI and machine learning are inextricably linked. AI is a branch of computer science that creates machines capable of behaving like humans. On the other hand, machine learning is ‘the science of how to make computers act without explicit programming,’ according to Stanford University. In other words, AI tells the system what to do, and machine learning helps it learn on the job.
For example, machine learning will teach a video surveillance algorithm to distinguish between dangerous objects, such as people and vehicles, and non-dangerous objects, such as animals or rubbish.
How has AI developed in the field of security?
Over the past few decades, the most common application of AI has been video surveillance. Video analytics (VA) applications, for example, have been detecting suspicious activity (such as abandoned luggage) since the 1990s. However, unreliable algorithms often cause false alarms due to harmless environmental factors such as a moving branch or animal.
To date, the need for people to scan hours of footage after a security breach has meant that much of this technology has served as a retrospective forensic tool. But times are changing. Whether it’s video surveillance, access control or risk management, artificial intelligence is enabling the industry to shift its focus from reactive to proactive operations.
‘Security leaders who don’t embrace digital thinking risk becoming irrelevant to the business,’ says the senior director of Microsoft Global Physical Security Operations. ‘Cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning are blurring the lines between logical and physical environments. Traditional security risk management and threat detection are rapidly becoming obsolete.’
For companies looking to hire security professionals, machine learning that mimics human behaviour across large areas will be a boon, as it eliminates the need for hundreds of operatives. Importantly, combining AI with skilled security personnel means that human resources can be deployed where they are most effective.
For example, the French government has announced that it is ‘accelerating’ the adoption of special legislation to use AI in video surveillance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Although the ethics of the decision remain under scrutiny, it has been emphasised that the key reason for its implementation is related to the shortage of approximately 30,000 security personnel needed to adequately secure the events.
But is the AI revolution coming fast enough? According to Microsoft and Accenture, more than three-quarters (78%) of executives agree that the digital transformation of physical security will deliver significant returns on investment, but only 30% consider it urgent, suggesting that security lags behind other sectors.
How easy is AI to use?
Clearly, upgrading security equipment across the board is not always feasible. But some vendors are keen to emphasise the importance of software over hardware. Hakimo, a Silicon Valley technology company, produces access control and health screening systems that claim to integrate superior artificial intelligence software with existing hardware.
But when is the best time to upgrade your inventory? A new wave of artificial intelligence claims to solve some of the sector’s biggest headaches. Fish-eye cameras detect movement and recalibrate to reduce motion blur. In identity management, cyber and physical security are combined with the use of dynamic user behaviour profiles that combine network security (e.g., profiles) and physical access (e.g., badges).
However, even the latest AI needs training, and no technology is without its flaws. Modern and sophisticated technologies make life easier for security personnel, but there will always be a human involved in the process; interpreting the alarm and using their intuition to determine the appropriate response.
