Staying connected

IN RECENT years, we’ve seen ever increasing interest from customers for systems that draw from the collective power of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, mobile applications and field access control devices. Essentially, firms want to be able to distill these big data sources into easy-to-understand, actionable insights.

This makes sense when you consider the scope of today’s connected organisations – and the number of cameras and other endpoints personnel must manage. Building managers need a way to ensure their security operations can keep pace with increased levels of building connectivity, and have a way to stay on top of the amount of data that connectivity generates.

IoT enabled devices offer a greater level of intelligence and versatility than previous generations’ equipment. This is going to play a big role in the shift of conventional electronic access control in the near future and beyond. We now see devices learning and optimising on their own. And beyond the devices themselves, the data and information they collect is going to be utilised more and more – especially within security systems.

For instance, a traditional access control system has a panel connected to a reader, and that often is connected to a video or alarm system. But now, end users are now looking for a singular system that can take advantage of any available information within a building. These devices, once deployed to meet safety codes and perform simple security and energy functions, are evolving into smarter, sleeker and more aesthetically pleasing systems.

The information and data now captured extends beyond simple surveillance and focuses on improving the overall user experience of the entire system, whether in emergency situations or every day operations. As an example, security professionals are now able to provide user information, giving them both a time and place to begin reviewing security camera footage in efforts to locate individuals. These multifunctional devices will continue to play a large role in how end users approach building management.

Going mobile

Today, our lives are centered around smart phones. We don’t need to be sitting in front of a computer in order to feel connected. It’s this mobile-first mentality that has everyone demanding immediate and instantaneous access to everything – both at home and at work.

For example, a building manager with a traditional access control system has to run specific software on one or two computers within the facility in order to access secure data on a server. But now, building managers want to access their control systems on a mobile device. They want to add a new card user by taking a picture with their phone and creating a mobile badge. They want to be able to send credentials for an expected visitor, have them already know where to go and be approved to access the building before they arrive. Building managers want to be capable of working wherever, and whenever, without being tied to a computer.

As a result, we’re going to see a focus on mobile interfaces that provide instantaneous connections. With that, the devices that will have the ability to interact with these advanced security systems are almost unlimited. Manufacturers are taking advantage of what they currently have, such as access, video, intrusion and smart energy devices, while simultaneously leveraging the data and information from these individual devices, in order to bring everything together into an interconnected, cloud-based, mobile-first environment.

As the industry shifts to devices, with buildings becoming smarter and interconnectivity becoming easier, we’re going to look at things beyond security. We’re transitioning from the traditional capabilities of a security company and moving into all the ways we can make someone’s life easier, safer, and even more productive using the equipment and software available.

Interoperability

Aside from mobile and access control, interoperability offers the biggest opportunity for installers and integrators for sales of access control products. End users are looking for installers and integrators who can review systems that weren’t necessarily built to be compatible and offer solutions using APIs and SDKs that serve as the glue between them. An example would be, importing a new hire’s data from HR’s database into a company’s access control system to establish quicker validation and easier verification with building security.  

Customers are also looking for ways to make their facilities more secure. As a result, there is increasing interest in wireless readers that provide more cost-efficient door management than traditional ones, which is therefore driving the demand for higher reader density in installs.

As we all know, building environments are rapidly changing. As property managers look to attract people to their facilities, we are seeing a massive growth of technology use within buildings. This consumer-driven growth of IP is essentially going to make our buildings smarter and provide structured wiring that’s easier for people to take advantage of within a network.

We’re seeing rapid growth of interconnected buildings that are more advanced, as well as growth of cutting edge devices that are providing a plethora of information that managers can tap into. There is a general movement toward the adoption of technology from property managers, company owners and building owners. These individuals are taking advantage of what they currently have, as well as replacing outdated devices with new, smarter solutions.

Cloud security

Beyond access control, connected security also means being able to leverage connected buildings as strategic assets. Using a single, cloud-based platform can assist security managers with features including automated controls and predictive analytics. When a company deploys a fully integrated system, owners can manage multiple locations remotely, receive business insight and out-of-hours notifications from one interface anywhere. For example, a business with multiple sites can use connected security platforms to make decisions on access control remotely from a smartphone, instead of having to spend time accessing a desktop computer at one particular location. In addition, because the systems are cloud-hosted there is no additional server or software to buy and manage.

As a result, companies are starting to discover improvements in business performance, reductions in IT infrastructure costs. Operations can be streamlined with small-to-medium business owners empowered to make faster decisions through real-time access, insight and reporting. Potentially, a connected security system can even help reduce operating costs and increase revenue.

Maintaining secure systems is one of the biggest challenges for integrators as companies move forward in this interconnected environment. When a company installs equipment of this magnitude in a facility, the knowledge sharing must be controlled through an interconnected team. IT, operations and even the manufacturer must work closely together to understand what issues might arise, while ensuring that every necessary precaution is taken, to make the building both safely connected and extremely secure.

Although there are many benefits of open networks, there will always be an opportunity for people to take advantage of these systems. As companies move forward in this interconnected environment, validated and verified access is critical. The responsibility of access control can’t fall on one person.

In many respects the access control system is often considered the gatekeeper to a facility. People often ask how to make access to system configuration easier for the end user. While this may provide more convenient access for building and security staff, it also makes it easier for others to gain access through nonconventional means. It’s a constant balance – designing products that are easy to use and modify for approved users, while also protecting against external threats. The ultimate goal is to make it easier for security managers and operators to efficiently, effectively and securely manage their facility using smart devices, while also protecting against unauthorised access.

The market for connected access control and buildings will only continue to grow as installers and integrators look to develop solutions that make it easier for security managers to manage their facilities while protecting against unauthorised access. In the future, connected security systems powered by mobile and IoT will be standard. However, as the industry moves from traditional systems, the role of the installers will change – no longer just installation, monitoring and response, but to also software development, system integration and analytics. Therefore, to get the best out of their connected buildings going forwards, installers and end users need to invest in training and skills to keep pace with the market. Failure to do so could result in some installers being left behind as security moves to an increasingly connected future.

Daniel Wan is EMEA customer marketing leader at Honeywell Security. For more information, visit www.security.honeywell.com/uk