In this Security Journal Exclusive, Fortus reports on how advanced surveillance solutions can significantly enhance the security of Smart Cities.
While data powers all aspects of Smart City operations, its significance is especially seen in security and surveillance projects. With the advent of HD and 4K video quality, cameras are collecting more data than ever before. According to research firm, IHS Markit, the global city surveillance market surpassed US$3 billion in 2017 and is forecasted to grow at an average annual rate of 14.6% from 2016-2021. This demand has been fuelled by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications for surveillance and security devices.
Here are a few examples of how smart surveillance and IoT devices are influencing Smart Cities based on insights from the McKinsey Global Institute 2018 report, Smart Cities: Digital Solutions for a More Livable Future.
Security – Body-worn cameras, advanced surveillance cameras with analytics, gunshot detectors and home security systems are some of the notable devices being deployed across Smart Cities to enhance security operations. These sensors enable real-time crime mapping and predictive policing, which can help to reduce assault, robbery and burglary incidents by 30-40%, according to the McKinsey report.
Healthcare – IoT devices are being utilised to provide remote patient monitoring, providing real-time alerts to staff who can take actions before the situation escalates to a crisis, helping to lower mortality rates.
Mobility – Intelligent street lights are optimising routes based on traffic patterns. As a result, roads are made safer, commutes are shortened and emergency response times are reduced by as much as 20 to 35% as stated by the McKinsey report.
Energy – Smart meters allow for more frequent readings and home energy consumption tracking, providing families with information that can be used to make lifestyle adjustments to lower utility bills.
5Economic development, housing and community engagement – Platforms are becoming available to the public providing helpful information, such as roadblocks to steer away from any disturbances and inviting incident reporting, such as vandalism. The result is enhanced safety and community engagement.
While significant improvements are being made to everyday life functions, all of this data collection has created a substantial demand for more storage. Surveillance video quality paired with lengthier storage lifecycles, is placing a large workload on the data storage devices behind the sensors. Simply put, Smart City solutions are only as good as the data that they store, analyse and deliver in a timely manner.
If one thing is for sure, it’s that reliability is key when it comes to our city surveillance data storage devices. Without reliable video storage, surveillance systems can experience lapses in footage or lose video altogether, hampering crime investigations and data analysis for deep learning purposes.
Fortunately, there are new solutions emerging in the marketplace that optimise video storage capacity, reliability and performance. A prime example is Seagate Technology’s SkyHawk surveillance drives.
Unlike typical data storage solutions, Seagate SkyHawk surveillance drives are tuned for 24/7 workloads and feature ImagePerfect firmware helping to minimise dropped frames to enable smooth, clear video streaming.
All in all, video storage solutions are the heartbeat of Smart City surveillance applications, enabling recordings, data retention, predictive analytics and real-time alerts. As the unsung hero of city surveillance and AI applications, data– the recording, storage, deep learning and delivery of critical information– is powering tomorrow’s Smart Cities.
Choosing the right distribution partner
When looking for advice and access to the latest industry advancements in CCTV storage systems, it helps to work with the right distributor. This is where Fortus is best placed as your distributor of choice.
We are the largest B2B security and fire distributor within the UK. And as an authorised distributor of HikVision products we have access to the very latest cameras and NVRs. In addition, we work closely with Seagate Technology and supply their industry leading hard drives, with SkyHawk as standard.
In addition, one of our key differentiators is that we put an emphasis on being ‘people orientated’ and strive to recruit the right people. Our company experts have complete knowledge of our product lines and can recommend a complete smart storage system; leaving you, the installer, free to do what you do best.
We recognise that the margin of differentiators within the sector is small, however we are proud to offer our installer partners the following:
Through acquisition, we have ambitious growth plans of achieving our goal of becoming a leading player in the security and fire distribution sector.
Contact [email protected] or visit https://fortus.ie/
This article was originally published in the February 2021 edition of Security Journal UK. To pick up your FREE digital copy click here.