IFSEC Connect Day 1: Video surveillance panel explores future of analytics, AFR, integration and cyber security

IFSEC Connect kicked off with a bang on Tuesday 1^st June, with the first day’s sessions featuring industry experts discussing the future of video surveillance, as well as exclusive Tech Talk sessions from the likes of Axis Communications, ONVIF and Cisco Meraki.

The first day of IFSEC Connect focused on video surveillance, as vendors provided attendees with exclusive Tech Talk demonstrations on their latest solutions, and culminated in a panel discussion with industry experts on the future of video surveillance.

Kicking off the product demos was ONVIF, as the industry forum explained more about how it was driving interoperability for IP-based physical security products. The organisation was on hand to provide an overview of how it will continue to support analytics and metadata with standards and common interfaces for easier integration with surveillance devices and other IoT systems.

Axis Communications shortly followed, with the vendor providing an overview of its AXIS Camera Station Secure Entry – an end-to-end solution said to unify physical access control and video surveillance in one platform. Peter Currie, Solutions Manager at Axis, highlighted the key features of the solution and answered several questions from live attendees.

Finishing the morning was Cisco Meraki, where Joe Weiss, Global Practice Lead – IoT and Edge Intelligence, provided a comprehensive explanation of how its cloud-based video solution is helping to “transform” the physical security industry.

A panel discussion on the future of video surveillance in security took the spotlight later in the day. As well as insight from expert panellists, attendees also received a free 16-page eBook, summarising vendor opinions on the sector. Participants included:

• Fraser Sampson, Biometrics & Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Home Office
• Ben Linklater, Chairman, BSIA Video Surveillance Systems & Sales Director, Optex
• Alex Carmichael, Chief Executive, SSAIB
• Oliver Philippou, Research Manager, Physical Security Technologies, Omdia
• Leonid Levit, Chairman, ONVIF Steering Committee, ONVIF

Several themes were covered, kicking off with how AI, deep learning and video analytics has developed to become increasingly useful for security professionals. There was commentary on why the tech is being more utilised, and how analytic applications have been repurposed during the COVID pandemic to support in ensuring improved health and safety practices, such as measuring building occupancy.

The discussion then moved on to the role of AFR (Automated Facial Recognition), which Fraser Sampson described as “dominating his inbox” since he took over the role of Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner earlier this year. The panel agreed that education was necessary for the industry, but that there is real value to its use to improve public safety, as long as it is used appropriately, justifiably and the captured data is carefully managed to protect privacy.

The second-half of the discussion covered the growing relevance of integrated physical security systems and cyber security best-practice for video surveillance devices – something that the industry needs to continue to improve as hackers increase the sophistication of their cyber-attacks, all agreed.

Watch the discussion, below…

Free Download: The Video Surveillance Report 2023

Discover the latest developments in the rapidly-evolving video surveillance sector by downloading the 2023 Video Surveillance Report. Over 500 responses to our survey, which come from integrators to consultants and heads of security, inform our analysis of the latest trends including AI, the state of the video surveillance market, uptake of the cloud, and the wider economic and geopolitical events impacting the sector!

Download for FREE to discover top industry insight around the latest innovations in video surveillance systems.

Download The Video Surveillance Report