Smart security is moving
beyond static security video recording to real-time video analytics - thanks to
new AI-enabled capabilities. With the rolling-out of always-on systems, edge
computing will play an essential role in capturing, collecting, and analyzing
high resolution data. Here are some key trends one can expect to see as a
result of this evolution.
Moving beyond the standard
security camera
Standard security cameras
focus on streaming a video feed from a fixed location. This footage is either
observed in real-time or recorded for future reference. Today, we see an
evolution of smart cameras through the emergence of AI with static lenses,
pattern matching, and a focus on specific zones or movements.
However, these smart
security cameras require in-built storage and intelligence Additionally, many
other types of cameras, such as body cameras, dashboard cameras, new IoT
devices and sensors, are used today to make video data so productive that one
can analyze and deduce a lot of valuable information in real-time, instead of
post-event.
Edge Computing And Smart
Security
With cloud adoption now
becoming mainstream, organizations are considering the platform as a
centralized location to store big data. However, now data is being processed at
the edge, rather than in the cloud. The main reason for this change in
preference is latency, which is essential when trying to carry out real-time
pattern recognition.
Data processing becomes
difficult when 4K surveillance video, recorded 24/7, is stored on a centralized
data center hundreds of miles away. This data analysis needs to happen quickly
to ensure timeliness during dynamic situations, such as public safety. By
storing relevant data at the edge using Western Digital’s WD Purple microSD
card, AI inferencing can happen faster, leading to safer communities,
effective operations, and smarter infrastructure.
Smart Surveillance In The
Smart Factory
Factories, which previously
used to function as a disconnected unit, are now becoming a more
inter-connected, well-oiled unit. From the design stage to the assembly line,
and smart video security – AI & IoT are taking center stage.
The modern factory business
requires a high-definition, 360 smart video security that can monitor all
activity. Besides, smart cameras can be deployed to help analyze the efficiency
of warehouse processes and the functioning of the product line. These extra technological
demands require a large amount of data to operate 24/7 and the storage of this
footage is of paramount importance. This can be stored on Western Digital’s
surveillance-grade WD Purple HDD which is
coupled with supported workload rate of up to 180 TB/year and support for up to
64 cameras. WD Purple drives are optimized for surveillance systems and
designed to support Deep Learning analytics in AI capable NVRs and feature an
enhanced workload rating of up to 360TB/year.
UHD And Storage
AI-enabled applications and
capabilities, such as pattern recognition, depend on high-definition
resolutions such as 4K – also known as Ultra High Definition (UHD). This
detailed data has a significant impact on storage – the capacity and speeds at
which it needs to be written, and the network it utilizes. Compared to HD, 4K
video has much higher storage requirements and with 8K on the horizon, ramping
up storage capabilities has become the need of the hour.
Larger video files place
new demands on data infrastructure, which means investments must become a key
consideration when looking into smarter security solutions.
Always-on connectivity
Most smart-security
solutions with limited connectivity or ultra-fast 5G capabilities need to
operate 24/7, regardless of the environment. Yet, on occasion, the underlying
hardware and software systems fail. In the event of this, it is vital to
establish a failover process to restore data and ensure continued operations,
including everything from traffic control to sensors to camera feeds.
For this reason, embedded
storage in the form of WD Purple microSDTM cards are used in
cameras to enable continuous recording. Software tools – powered by AI – can
then “patch” missing data streams with the content captured on the card to
ensure the video stream can be viewed chronologically with no content gaps.
Sophisticated Device
Analytics
Self-monitoring has become
a critical tool in enabling better uptime, proactive support, and efficiency
for many systems. Whether in smart factories or enterprise settings, an entire
system can fail simply due to one component malfunctioning. As a solution,
companies need to look at investing in hard drives that can monitor a variety
of parameters, including temperature, to help administrators take immediate
action before reliability is compromised.
In The End…
Today, smart security is
about utilizing AI and edge computing to deliver an always-on, high-resolution
security provision that can keep people safe 24/7. These trends increase the
demands and importance of security monitoring, which means the supporting data
infrastructure improves to match existing processes, including the ability to
manage the infrastructure to ensure reliable operation proactively. Companies
need to make sure they have the requisite storage capabilities to enable this.