Importance of Surveillance Systems in Small Industries
Published on : Friday 29-09-2023
Innovative surveillance technologies can help recognise and prevent crime in real time, says Darshana Thakkar.
Surveillance Systems have become an integral part and necessity for every business and even in the domestic sphere. CCTV cameras are installed in almost all business premises, public places and increasingly, residential premises. However, many incidents in the business world, though recorded in real time, are discovered only later, and hence cannot be prevented effectively. Also, one needs to continuously monitor the screen to get real-time information about any incident. Even the footage can be tampered with if an internal person is involved in the incident. In most cases, only video footage is available, without audio. That is not very effective in diagnosing the real facts or causes of the incident.
Nowadays, with AI and ML and deploying IoT, e-surveillance systems provide real-time information about the incident so that appropriate action can be taken and damage prevented. Many options are available to notify the incident, like a phone call, SMS, email, alarm, etc.
Why an electronic surveillance system?
All large corporate houses are using emerging technologies for surveillance. But still, application of it is very limited in small and medium businesses in India. The most common system is the CCTV system in the MSME sector. These close-circuit cameras provide a record of all the activities but it is very challenging to use them for prevention. A CCTV has many limitations, making it ineffective in preventing losses, such as:
1) Analogue CCTV cameras provide access on the premises only. Remote access is not possible, which is of no more use nowadays.
2) One step ahead, the IP-based CCTVs connected to Wi-Fi are better than the analog; they provide remote access while not on the premises. But still, login to the network is required.
3) Further, the footage is in the premises only, which may be destroyed in case of a fire or by an internal person having access to the system.
4) When business owners are physically away from the office space – at night, on weekends, or during holidays – the footage can be reviewed only when someone is back on the premises or otherwise connected to the business network.
5) A CCTV only records a threat mutely, without providing the business intelligence to affect or prevent it as it happens.
6) A CCTV feed cannot notify a night time security guard who is sleeping on the job or otherwise distracted from the monitors in front of him.
There is a difference between stopping a crime and letting it proceed unchecked.
Small businesses unaware of the latest technological advancement in intelligent surveillance systems may fall back on the manual hack – having teams monitor the feed 24/7. It can be an expensive proposition for a small or medium-sized business.
E-surveillance systems
A one-time investment in intelligent security system is worth the cost for small businesses. Electronic security systems include surveillance security systems, alarm systems, access and control systems, and other product types. The end users of such systems are government offices and premises, transportation, industrial, banking, hotels, retail stores, commercial and residential and public places.
How a smart surveillance system works
There are various connected devices in the e-surveillance system, and their feeds can be stored in the cloud. Today's technology provides an enviable suite of Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven value-added services. From intruder detection, familiar face mapping, theft identification, etc., events can be identified and reported in real-time. AI-driven algorithms prevent the need for security personnel to monitor feeds by staying in front of monitors or physically being present in the control room.
Business owners can set up rules-driven SOPs that notify multiple real-time contact points when intrusion or other events are detected. It spreads the security responsibility and reduces any particular individual's dependence. SOPs can also be set up with escalation paths defined based on the severity of the event identified.
Further, the systems can be set up for notifications to notify personnel via phone calls, text notifications, emails, or alarms. The options are plentiful.
E-surveillance systems don't have to be super complicated. For example, for 500 sq.ft office space, a simple method of three to four cameras would suffice to get 100% coverage.
E-surveillance systems can be configured to record sound, allowing businesses to monitor sound conversations. The advantages of sound recordings are many. Sound can provide additional context as events occur, such as disputes or conflicts between employees and customers or internal communications.
We can set up the rules for how long footage and audio feeds are retained before they are automatically erased. This can help to keep storage costs manageable. In addition, the footage is being accessed on demand and retrieved from anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection and the viewer has the credentials to view the footage.
The outstanding feature is that e-surveillance solutions also have detailed analytics dashboards that can be reviewed anytime. If footage review shows false alarms, the business owner can flag it as such, which in turn helps the AI fine-tune its algorithm.
The only essential requirement is that the e-surveillance systems require robust internet connections, as feeds are uploaded in real-time to cloud storage. Nowadays, good internet connections are available almost everywhere except in interior rural areas.
Benefits of smart surveillance system
1) In case of any incident like fire or accident, it provides real-time intimation to the concerned person as per set system
2) It prevents unauthorised access to the premises and restricted areas
3) Burglaries, pilferage, theft, etc., are discouraged due to such a system
4) Intentional damages or destructions are prevented, and
5) If someone neglects the organisation's SOP, the same can be intimated if set in the system.
Such alerts received in real-time help prevent loss of money and loss of life or productivity.
Despite all the benefits, small business owners hesitate to use cloud solutions. For surveillance systems, the use of cloud storage has several advantages. It is best in terms of cost-effectiveness, management, and implementation.
In the end, there are some benefits of cloud video security surveillance for businesses that you should consider if you plan to install cameras.
Cloud surveillance is one of the best modern innovations for today's businesses. Finding the right provider for the company will likely take some time and research, but the benefits of a cloud-based security surveillance system are worth the effort. Here, I would like to share the names of a few market leaders in the segment.
1) Axis Communications
2) Bosch Security System
3) Tyco Security Products
4) Honeywell Automation, and
5) Checkpoint.
Summing up
Innovative surveillance technologies powered by a unified Internet-of-Things (IoT) platform can help recognise and prevent crime in real time with the help of highly-trained specialists. They can identify unauthorised activities with remote monitoring technology, advanced sensors, video analytics, and cameras with AI/ML capabilities. The investment in the system can be recovered from the cost of saving human resources for manual management. Furthermore, the savings in hidden costs from theft, damage, pilferage, etc., are the additional benefits that can give faster return on investment.
Darshana Thakkar is MSME Transformation Specialist and Founder, Transformation – The Strategy Hub. An Electrical Engineer followed by MBA – Operations with hardcore industry experience in managing business operations, Darshana is an expert in transformation of businesses that helps them achieve growth with speed and scale. She has invested 27 years in transforming Micro and Small Enterprises. Her rich experience in resolving pain areas and the MSME/SME industry's real-life problems are helping the organisation for quick results.
Darshana has helped many MSMEs to increase profitability & achieve sustainable growth. She is keen on the growth of Indian Startups, providing mentoring and hand-holding support to startups to make them succeed quickly.
She is very passionate about supporting women in pursuing their career and life goals. She is actively working for women's entrepreneurship and leadership development.
She is:
· Founder and CEO of Transformation
· Certified Women Director by IICA, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India
· Empanel and recognised Startup mentor and Trainer by CED, Government of Gujarat
· Registered and Verified Business Advisor – Tata Nexarc, Tata Business HUB, Mumbai, and
· Chairperson: MSME Support & PRO at Makarpura GIDC Association, Vadodara.
MSME Transformation and Strategic Advisor – MSME Business Forum India, Darshana has received various accolades:
· Winner of Gujarat Women's leader award 2022 by CMO Asia
· Winner of Influential Women leader in business by Insight Success 2022
· Recognised as India's most trusted consulting company by Insight Success 2022
· Felicitated by Mentor my board in the gracious presence of Honourable FM Mrs. Nirmala Sitaraman during Women Director's conclave – 2022
· Felicitated by the president of Makarpura GIDC Association during the Suvarna Jayanti Mahotsav on 17th December 2022 for her excellent contribution in supporting MSME and startup Businesses.
Apart from this, she is an author and publishes her blog, article, and case study related to the industry. Email: [email protected]
