Video surveillance is increasingly moving towards the cloud

Increasingly higher resolutions up to 4K, better image compression such as H.265, more bandwidth and storage media on which hundreds of terabytes of camera images can be stored. Modern video surveillance systems use IP-based network technology, multisensor cameras deliver detailed 360-degree images and a wide range of video analytics – from relatively simple detection of intruders in areas to more complex face recognition and human behavior – provide proven added value, for example, centralists in control rooms perform their tasks more effectively can exercise. The closed (CCTV) systems of the past have clearly not stood still in their development.

Yet it will surprise someone with a background in the IT that the security industry still relatively little use of the advantages that the cloud has to offer. E-mail, administration, invoicing and planning software, firewalls, antivirus, spam filters and checkout systems: more and more applications are linked to the cloud. Almost everyone knows cloud services such as Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce CRM, Gmail, Apple iCloud, DropBox, Microsoft OneNote, Exact Online and many more. And more and more people have a notebook that requires an internet connection to run applications from and store data in the cloud. In recent years, video surveillance and access control systems are on the rise in the cloud, which is accompanied by new challenges and potential risks. Security managers do not want to lose control of ‘their’ camera images and other data if they are no longer stored ‘indoors’ on a local server or recorder. Images must be available 24/7 and may not be in the hands of third parties. It is also often thought that storing camera images in the cloud will be expensive, given the size of the files to be sent back and forth, especially now that megapixel resolutions have become the rule rather than the exception.

Benefits
The cold-water fear in the security sector compared to the cloud is not unknown to Rishi Lodhia, managing director of Eagle Eye Networks. “The security industry often reacts cautiously to new technology and that is no different with adoption to cloud. After all, where in the world are the camera images stored exactly and what if you want a subscription? Have you lost all your images? As the knowledge and experience increase, the doubt slowly but surely disappears. People experience the benefits of all kinds of cloud services on a daily basis and do not see why this should be different for their security system. End users naturally expect the convenience of the cloud and security installers are increasingly offering subscriptions for video management in the cloud.

Eagle Eye Networks is one of the fastest growing providers of cloud video management systems globally. The company was founded in 2012 by Dean Drako, also major shareholder of sister company Brivo Systems (1999) and founder of the Cyber ​​security provider Barracuda Networks (2003). The common denominator among these three companies is the cloud and cyber security. Brivo Systems offers a cloud platform for access control, while Barracuda Networks specializes in firewalls, spam filters and anti-virus software that can be used in the cloud. The European headquarters of Eagle Eye Networks is located in Amsterdam, with offices in the US and Japan. The company has twelve data centers worldwide, including two in the Netherlands. Rishi Lodhia: “Our data centers are managed 24/7 by our own employees worldwide.

Dashboard
“Both end users and security installers profit optimally from a cloud VMS,” says Rishi Lodhia. “The installer builds a long-term relationship with his customers and can largely take care of regular maintenance, such as software updates. Only the really necessary work is still done on location. This allows much more efficient work. Thanks to our new dashboard, installers can proactively check the status of all connected systems in real time. It is immediately clear if a connection or camera has failed. The installer can then remotely take the power off the camera to reset the camera. This way a trip to the customer can often be saved. Eagle Eye Networks also takes care of the cybersecurity patches, the software updates and a secure connection from the customer locations to the cloud. The customer knows that he always has a well-maintained and safe system with the latest software and can fully focus on his core tasks. “

Almost all IP and analog cameras available on the market can be connected to the cloud video management platform of Eagle Eye Networks. Existing camera systems therefore do not have to be replaced or radically renewed. The cameras are connected on location with a hardware component, the so-called Bridge. This acts as a bridge between the camera system and the cloud. All data is sent encrypted and stored redundantly. The Bridge also plays a role in reducing the required bandwidth on the customer network, by buffering data and distributing as optimally as possible throughout the day.

Cyberproof
Rishi Lodhia: “It is a misconception that security systems can be better secured locally than in the cloud. In practice it is all too often that software has not been updated, sometimes even for several years no longer. Also, no use is made of a VPN or its ports are opened on the firewall, as a result of which the customer network is unnecessarily exposed to risks. And that at a time when the number of data thefts will exceed the number of physical burglaries. By working with the cloud systems are ‘by default’ cyber security. There is locally a lot less hardware required, such as servers and recorders that constantly need new updates. We also work with private alarm centers on fully encrypted cyber-safe connections from the end-customer’s location to the PAC to make video images easier to access for remote video services. A solution with a link between the control room software of Mastermind and ENAI Systems and our Cloud VMS is already being used by several Dutch control rooms, such as SMC Emergency Center and Stanley Security. ”

Analytics
The camera images can be watched anywhere and anytime with a smartphone or standard web browser and with one click of the mouse cameras can be added or the recording duration can be adjusted. Rishi Lodhia: “This offers a great deal of flexibility and scalability. For example, installers spend a lot of time calculating the required storage capacity per camera. By working with a cloud solution, the system can first be tested for a certain period with a standard storage duration, which can then be changed remotely for each camera. A video surveillance system can also be easily expanded in the future with multiple cameras or with camera surveillance in other locations, without the need for recorders or servers that have to be managed and operated locally by employees.

Another advantage of cloud video management is the large-scale application of video analytics in the cloud for large quantities of raw video images. In combination with, for example, data from access control and building management systems, this can yield a wealth of information about the daily use of an office building or shop floor and different patterns can be recognized.

Pilots
To underline the benefits of cloud video management, Eagle Eye Networks will be offering pilots in the Netherlands this year. “Seeing is believing”, explains Max van Riel, marketing director EMEA. “We have had good experiences with this in the United States. Together with installers, we want to give different target groups during a trial period of sixty days the chance to discover for themselves how the Cloud VMS works. The best way to clarify the benefits is to give customers the opportunity to test the system in practice. We believe that the customer and installer are immediately convinced. ”

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