Way back in 2005, one of my predecessors at NICE Systems wrote an article entitled ‘The Convergence of Physical Security and IT’ which was published in the print edition of Security Management Today (SMT).
In this article, the author argued that vendors, specifiers, systems integrators, installers and end users all needed to become more IT ‘savvy’ in order to cope with the pace of the inevitable transition towards a more proactive security system which takes advantage of the evolution of IP networks.
So here we are, nearing the end of 2011, and I find myself having very similar debates with people in the security world.
Further down the line with convergence
Undoubtedly, we are far further down the line with convergence. However, we’re still a long way off where people predicted we would be five or six years ago.
Why is this the case? After all, the technology has leapt forward: the IP cameras of today are hugely capable and IT networks are far faster with greater bandwidth, reliability, scalability and, of course, security. In addition, high volume storage is considerably cheaper.
The fact is that analog cameras are very good indeed. After all, more than 50 years of expertise has gone in to refining and developing the technology since the introduction of CCTV in the 1960s.
What’s more, these cameras can have a very long lifespan, often extending to one or even two decades.
Currently available procurement/installation choices
Annual shipments of approximately 20 million units in recent years, it’s a conservative estimate that there are around 200 million analog cameras currently installed around the world.
For the majority of organisations specifying new surveillance systems, then, it’s highly likely that they will have analog cameras and cabling deployed, but what procurement/installation choices are available to them?
One option is to ‘rip out and replace’ trusted infrastructure and embark upon an expensive ‘forklift’ to a complete IP solution including cameras and recorders. In most cases, this would be akin to throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
An alternative is to maximise past investments made in analog technology – and often considerable from a monetary perspective – and simply replace old DVRs with new hybrid versions.
This option might seem to be the obvious path to take for the vast majority or security teams presently restricted by budget, but there are pitfalls to be found in following this path.
“There is a third way” for security managers
While this strategy will leverage existing assets and protect investment, the resulting solution won’t be completely ‘future-ready’ and will likely have limited capabilities. However, as former Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Tony Blair (remember him?!) once said: “There is a third way.”
Technology is now available to the market that makes it possible to retain the investment in perfectly good analog systems and at the same time benefit from a state-of-the-art ‘proactive’ IP Video Management System (VMS) as part of a longer-term migration to a full IP-based surveillance operation. This option can realise significant savings on security and operational expenditure by not only eliminating the need to replace analog equipment immediately, but also by substantially enhancing its performance.
These centrally managed VMS solutions can improve the performance of analog cameras by adding new functionality that’s typically considered the preserve of an all-IP infrastructure, such as automatic camera tampering detection, video motion detection and video analytics (including intrusion detection and crowd management).
Meanwhile, video storage and its associated costs (space, power, etc) can be optimised, in turn reducing the number of servers required – typically 100 cameras per server.
All of these benefits translate to immediate OPEX and CAPEX savings and lower the total cost of ownership.
Transition must be a gradual process
For most surveillance operations the benefits to be had from an all-IP infrastructure are the ultimate goal. However, because of its maturity, proven performance and legacy investment, analog continues to have a long and fruitful future.
The speed of change is unlikely to happen in the time frame that many in the industry may have predicted five or more years ago.
Instead, the transition will – and indeed should – happen gradually, in a cost-effective manner and in line with given organisations’ own schedules rather than due to external pressures.
Right now, a robust VMS solution affords end users the best of both worlds.
Jamie Wilson is security marketing manager (EMEA) at NICE Systems
