The impact of the cloud on physical security: Net-positive or net-negative?

This definitely depends on the integrator’s business and what choices they make to either adopt, adapt to or ignore the cloud. There is little doubt that this opens up new revenue streams for integrators, including "as a service" offerings to their customers that can be customized to customer size, industry requirements and levels of service. It also presents the opportunities for more efficiencies in running an integration business, with new capabilities in remotely managing a customer’s network of devices or total system management and tracking system health for proactive maintenance of customer equipment and systems, all of which can reduce costly onsite time and truck rolls.

The evolution of Cloud technologies will continue to have a net positive impact on physical security technologies. For one, the Cloud supports enhanced implementation and management of hybrid solution architectures, which are comprised of on-premise, Cloud, and edge technologies to maximise the value of each type of technology together. This adds an increased level of flexibility to modern security systems, as functionalities can be deployed where most efficient across each type of technology, resulting in highly effective security architectures that are carefully designed for the unique needs and goals of individual organisations. The Cloud also offers unparalleled scalability, allowing businesses to grow their security systems easily while being cost-effective – and presenting opportunities for additional integrations across hybrid architectures. Rather than negatively impacting physical security integrators, Cloud technologies will ultimately help them provide better service to their customers and accelerate security innovation overall.

Embracing software as a service (SaaS) represents a transformative opportunity for physical security systems integrators. Cloud software, managed services, and subscription models are expanding the ways security solutions are sold, delivered, and perceived. Recent research conducted by Genetec shows that 60% of organisations are moving towards a blend of on-premises and Cloud-based solutions. Hybrid solutions offer integrators new opportunities to undertake unique deployments with more flexibility and support existing customers as their needs change or grow. By adding SaaS solutions to their portfolio, integrators can expand their offering with a service model that will increase customer engagement and long-term customer satisfaction. Likewise, they will gain efficiencies at every step of the journey from design to deployment and maintenance, therefore improving their run rate. By embracing SaaS, integrators can unlock new revenue streams, expand opportunities, and position themselves as trusted advisors in an increasingly competitive marketplace. 

The Cloud provides the opportunity to access data such as video feeds from security cameras, AI analytics, and other equipment usage remotely. However, the Cloud does not replace the need for installing the equipment and servicing it. It brings down the cost of providing certain products such as AI analytics considerably, providing more opportunities for security integrators than before. 

The Cloud will undoubtedly be a net-positive change for physical security integrators, by way of increased connectedness. The connected nature of Cloud-based software enables integrators to tackle the increasing complexity of problems faced with an enhanced toolkit. While the size of the eco-system within which security systems operate is rapidly increasing, as is the challenge to keep up, also present is an opportunity for integrators to specialise, working cohesively with other parts of the eco-system to provide a comprehensive solution. Similarly, providers who are well-connected with their integrators and customers can respond to challenges and system gaps faster, providing more effective and efficient service. In addition to increased connectedness, the Cloud’s enhanced access to real-time data enables integrators to detect and solve problems at increased speed, ideally before customers even detect a problem, and with the increasing adoption of AI, this could become predictive, updating systems before problems surface. 

The impact of the Cloud on physical security integrators is a net positive for the same reasons the Cloud is important across other areas of our high-tech world— the ability to scale, op-ex versus cap-ex expense, remote management and accessibility, advanced analytics, and more. However, customers need to consider their needs carefully as the Cloud is not a perfect solution for all use cases. When seconds count, such as proactive responses to imminent threats, delays inherent in the Cloud might not be acceptable. The reliance on a stable internet connection to/from the Cloud can also be a concern for some organisations. In these cases, a hybrid approach may be best which uses a combination of on-prem and Cloud services for a “best-of-both-worlds” solution. With the incredible power available at the edge with AI-enabled cameras, many customers benefit from a balanced approach between Cloud and edge information handling in a hybrid workflow. 

Changes are a challenge... and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Simply put, Cloud is really just the Internet connected to computing resources hosted by companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and others. I'm sure we would all agree that the internet as well as hosted computing has been a good thing. So it stands to reason Cloud's impact on physical security will be looked on as a net positive. With it, new solutions can be created that solve real issues. However, where challenges may come in is how these solutions are consumed and new ways to evaluate products. The physical security industry tends to be slower to adopt technologies and consumption methods commonly found in consumer markets or commercial IT markets, and there-in lies the challenge. The growing pains that will be felt as we move towards cloud and cloud computing include becoming accustomed to a different way of evaluating providers to ensure consumer data is safe, as well as, purchasing and accepting recurring fee structures.