Real-time alerting: the indispensable factor in proactive security

Prevention is better than cure. A well-known saying that certainly holds true within safety and security. However, proactive security requires a thorough approach, in which real-time alerting is key. This demands a lot of concentration from security staff. They have to stay sharp, minute by minute. Fortunately, more and more technology is available that enables automated real-time monitoring and alarms. But how exactly does this work? And what can we do with it? We answer those questions in this article.

Real-time alerting: what is it?

To avoid unwanted situations, you need to see through them before it is too late. This can sometimes be quite tricky if you have to watch out for hundreds of camera images or secure several objects at the same time. Even if you have enough staff, it is practically impossible to watch or inspect every camera image or object 24/7.

Smart video analysis software can help. With this technology, camera images are automatically monitored. Is someone breaking in? Is a fire starting? Or is there a suspicious car driving? Then this system sends you a real-time alert. Think of it as a watchdog that immediately kicks in and warns you as soon as it smells danger. Using real-time alerts, you are able to react immediately, direct staff and prevent worse.

The importance of automated video analytics and the role of AI

As stated above, for (automated) real-time alerts, the use of the right technology is inevitable. Indeed, video analytics software helps security personnel with inspection and detection tasks. 24/7. The rise of AI plays an important role here. Previously, this technology was mainly based on movement or pixel size of an object, which caused many false alarms. Today, based on Machine Learning and Deep Learning, these systems understand much better what is happening on the images. People, vehicles, animals, objects behaviour and patterns are recognised. This results in high reporting accuracy.

Application of real-time alerting

Real-time alerting can be used for various purposes, because the application of Video AI Analytics as a technology is so broad. First, we give an overview of the different areas where real-time alerting can be deployed:

Control room

The most obvious place to use real-time alerting is the control room. In this place, countless camera images are watched every day and various digital patrol rounds are ‘run’. By automating alarms, you can be sure you won’t miss anything. Video AI Analytics enables real-time alerting on things like: burglary, fire, vandalism and recognition of suspicious persons, cars or license plates.

Retail

Real-time alerting can also play an important role within retail. Because even in this environment, there are plenty of things you want to be aware of. Think, for example, of counting people, theft, aggression, heatmapping or long queues.

Hospitals and healthcare institutions

Staffshortages play everywhere. Healthcare is no exception. Video analytics can also be used to support healthcare staff in their work. For example, it is possible to get real-time alerts on detection of a falling person. This prevents patients and/or clients from lying on the floor for a long time. Of course, real-time alerting can also play an important role in the security of the entire hospital or healthcare facility.

On the shop floor

Within industrial environments, situations regularly arise that are dangerous for employees on the shop floor. Real-time alerting can also play an important role in this area. Think of alarming flauwvallende personen, het niet dragen van beschermende kleren, maar ook aanzaken als brand or versleten machineonderdelen.

Take the next step in proactive security

Also curious how real-time alerting can support your business or organisation in terms of proactive security? Let’s get acquainted. We are VAIBS. An ambitious and energetic company from the Netherlands that helps organisations turn information from video images into usable data. We do this by making every (existing) IP camera smart using Video Artificial Intelligence. To do this, we use Vaidio: the Video AI Analytics platform to which tens of thousands of cameras worldwide are connected every day to detect objects, people, vehicles, anomalies and patterns. And it does so with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

Does something untoward happen? Then the Vaidio platform is able to alert staff in real time to take immediate action. Through smart integrations and the open nature of Vaidio, the platform is able to forward alerts and triggers via:

• http(s) triggers
• Email
• App notifications
• API, IoT and IO control
• Other systems, like:
  • VMS systems
  • NVR Systems
  • Nurse call systemns
  • PSIM systems

• And more…

Want to know more about the possibilities? Take a look at the product page or Contact one of our specialists. They will be happy to provide you all the information.