How are security systems misunderstood by the general public? What unrealistic expectations surround our market’s systems?

TV programmes such as CSI and 24 create unrealistic public expectations of modern security. The way these shows dramatise technology is one of the most disruptive issues in the security market. Identifying key technological components that work together to meet your needs is far more important than implementing visually appealing, Minority-Report gimmicks. We need the public to understand that the most effective type of security is totally invisible. It does not affect their day-to-day activities, but it protects them regardless. But how do you achieve this? An important aspect to understand is that all businesses have an inherent technology asset in their IT departments. When security as a business division can team with IT as a division, the opportunities to create integrated platform solutions are possible. It is this behind-the-scenes activity that creates truly impressive and sophisticated security which the public knows nothing about.

The general public doesn’t fully understand surveillance and integrated systems. Many think they are an invasion of privacy and do not realise that these systems are actively protecting citizens. Unfortunately, most people equate security to futuristic movies like “Minority Report,” in which citizens’ privacy is non-existent. In reality, most organisations are using standard systems to perform very necessary security functions, including monitoring for, reacting to and investigating crime and violence. As more cities move to integrated systems, the amount of data being collected will be greater and greater. The good news is this: The probability for anticipating and preventing threats will only increase. To that end, it’s important that citizens remember and understand the overall goals for their safety, because they only stand to benefit from this type of surveillance and integrated system technology.

A common public misconception about Iris Recognition readers is that they are retina scanners. This is a somewhat invasive technology and understandably could worry users or potential users. It’s important that the public understands that Iris Recognition is non-invasive and the security industry should promote the fact it utilises pattern recognition and therefore can be done without physical contact. Fingerprint readers are also a source of popular misconception amongst the general public, which sometimes perceives that the data is held in the reader and is therefore potentially susceptible to theft or unauthorised copying and misuse. Fingerprint data is actually stored in complex binary algorithms which can’t be easily replicated and offers very high levels of security. However, companies like ours are aware of this perception and therefore store this information on the user’s card so they take it with them instead.

In many cases, once they hear that a new security system has been implemented, the general public assumes everything will now be safe. However, by their very nature, terrorist attacks are unpredictable and predicated on surprise. Staying one step ahead by identifying vulnerable areas, and securing them, is critical to staving off attacks. That's why the general public's help is needed. If they see a vulnerability, they should report it to the organisation's security department. Internal communications to all employees would be a good start in the educational process.