Neil Killick, VP International Sales, OpenEye, discusses how cloud-managed video solutions can take security to the next level, offering convenience, flexibility and accessibility.
Cloud-managed video surveillance refers to the use of cloud-based technology to manage and access video footage captured by security devices.
This approach to video surveillance leverages the scalability, flexibility and accessibility of cloud computing to provide an efficient and secure solution for organisations and individuals.
These solutions offer enhanced convenience and access to advanced technologies, making them increasingly popular for businesses and organisations.
A cloud-managed video solution can take your security to the next level through powerful features.
With cloud video, systems become active investments that can address current needs, while offering the flexibility to achieve future goals.
Not only does a cloud-managed video solution help fortify business’ defences, but it can also help save money by identifying operational weaknesses and helping manage organisations more effectively.
AI-powered video analytics, from motion detection to person and vehicle classification to license plate recognition, provide the actionable intelligence a business needs to make informed decisions or take actions.
With the option to capture analytic events at the edge or on the recorder, with server-side analytics, users have access to a powerful approach to data processing and decision-making.
With AI video analytics in place, businesses can obtain and process more data points, providing a clearer picture of operations.
A cloud-managed video solution that is built on an open platform allows businesses to tie together their various security and intelligence systems in a single pane of glass.
Access control, alarm panels, point-of-sale and more can be enhanced via a video surveillance system.
By connecting these devices, businesses will receive video verification of events from integrated devices, whether through real-time alerts or event search, helping strengthen security while uncovering operational insights.
Alerts enable security and facilities personnel to know when an incident happens, whether that is a suspicious intruder entering an unauthorised area or a recorder that is not functioning.
Push notifications, as well as email and client notifications, are delivered automatically to platform users wherever they are on whatever device thanks to cloud capabilities, providing a clear picture of the system and enabling faster response to a variety of situations.
If an incident occurs, organisations will want to find the associated video, save it and share it internally, with insurance companies, law enforcement or others quickly and securely.
By using business data, including analytics or third-party events, as well as intelligent search tools, organisations can quickly find the events they need, saving hours of time reviewing video footage.
Additionally, sharing video footage both internally and externally is more secure, with advanced controls and visibility into views and downloads to safeguard your content.
With a cloud-managed video solution, users can expect regular updates and improvement.
In the case of recorders, for example, users can initiate updates with the click of a button or have it automated, so updates are rolled out as soon as they are available.
Being able to update software remotely prevents service technicians from having to do so on-site and without the use of removable media, which can be a security risk.
Users achieve a greater peace of mind knowing their system is up-to-date with the newest features and secure against the latest threats.
Automated health monitoring enables preventive maintenance rather than reactive maintenance.
The system can also show if a recorder’s hard drive is close to capacity or if a processor is not working.
Push notifications will let a user know immediately whether a camera or recorder has gone offline, so the problem can be fixed before that video is needed.
Organisations can leverage other reporting tools to know that cameras are seeing what they are supposed to be seeing.
In the case they are blocked by dirt or debris, out of position or not functioning, maintenance can be quickly sent to investigate the issue.
As an added layer of security, a cloud-managed video solution should offer MFA as a cybersecurity best practice. If a user accesses the system through a remote client, they will have to verify their identity.
This is usually accomplished via an additional verification method sent to their email or mobile phone.
Leverage third-party identity management integrations to further streamline IT operations, while keeping your system secure.
A cloud-managed video solution offers remote management of users, with the ability to set permissions for individuals and user groups. If an employee exits the company, for example, their account can be easily deactivated, with all changes pushed instantly across devices.
Administrators can further limit user access to specific groups by client or IP address to ensure video is always accessed as intended.
By moving user management to the cloud, businesses can seamlessly manage the individuals within their organisation to both enhance operations and strengthen network security.
OpenEye Web Services (OWS) delivers a cloud security solution that provides remote access and cloud management while addressing commercial security needs today and tomorrow.
OWS supports any combination of servers and embedded appliances, as well as network and cloud-connected cameras and gives you the option to record locally or to the cloud based on the events that matter most.
Retrofitting existing deployments, including both third-party and analogue cameras, as well as third-party business systems, provides a low-friction migration path to the cloud and ensures users get the most value out of their security.
From the OWS cloud, users can connect to devices to view live video, search events and manage the system from wherever they are.
Additionally, they can add any number of recorders and cloud cameras to a logical location, with no limit on the total locations and devices associated with an OWS account.
This article was originally published in the August edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.
