AI enhances security in every single sector, including:
Retail
AI-driven data and analytics helped retailers to track customer numbers during the pandemic. As well as reducing security issues (e.g. shoplifting), new technology is streamlining retail operations by ensuring that stock makes it onto shelves as quickly as possible and tailoring the customer experience in-store.
Law enforcement
Live Facial Recognition (LFR) is being tested by some police forces. The Metropolitan Police states that this kind of AI is “a carefully deployed overt policing tactic to help locate a limited number of people the police need to find in order to keep London safe.” Whether the regulatory environment will allow for this kind of technology remains to be seen.
Healthcare
AI-powered video technology and access systems mean that secured areas (e.g. wards or medication) are only accessible for certain individuals. On a wider scale, physical and behavioural biometrics can locate a lost and vulnerable person in a public place. Elsewhere, AI is helping to reduce admin and understand complex treatment needs by scanning patient records.
Business
Detecting strange behaviour using video surveillance or access control systems is a win for office environments. For example, if an employee leaves a room, biometric AI can detect inconsistent behaviour and restrict unauthorised access. At entry points, AI can flag the same card being used at multiple locations at the same time – or even diagnose faulty hardware.
Built environment
According to Clarion Security Systems, there is an estimated 7.4million CCTV cameras in the UK – or one camera for every 11 people. In the future, smart cities could see traffic monitored by ANPR, people kept safe via video surveillance and access management seamlessly automated. The use of video surveillance and drones at large-scale events (e.g. the Paris Olympics) will test whether the public is ready for AI to become part of their daily lives.
Logistics
AI cameras can recognise a variety of objects and even trigger tracking processes in networked systems. At a micro-level, threat detection software uses AI to scan packages and mail for threats – without the need for x-rays. Instead, desktop scanners use T-rays to produce dynamic 4-D images in real-time.
Inevitably, despite a new wave of more advanced AI, no technology is 100% accurate. The robots aren’t here to take our jobs.
For the security sector, finding the perfect balance between using AI to flag possible issues and deploying skilled labour to decide on the right action will be the sweet spot.