The upfront costs associated with using drones in the commercial security industry are high. However, proponents argue that the long-term benefits far outweigh the cost. Additionally, a hybrid approach of using drones and actual guards can help with providing better service to clients.


Drone technology requires less labour, in addition to the following benefits:


• Drones can capture aerial footage of a site


• Security firms can cover vast areas in comparison with actual guard


• Drones can secure perimeters and prevent break-ins


• By processing drone footage with AI in real time, drones could automatically identify objects that pose a threat, and alert physical guards to respond.


Big data via dashboards and other tech reports


For security firms, gathering large amounts of data is simply part of the job. That data comes in the form of timekeeping, job costing, scheduling or billing information. Regardless of the source, each resource can provide actionable business insights. For most businesses, those insights help a company operate more efficiently and ultimately make smarter decisions.


Based on the speed at which AI-based applications are evolving, security professionals will want to keep a close eye on new technologies and applications that can have a significant impact on the physical security market.


Security monitoring using drones


To improve overall security, contractors across the globe are increasingly adopting drones to improve safety, drive efficiency and gather data. Forecasts predict that the global drone market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 25%.


Clients find data highly useful in terms of identifying and achieving business success. Because of that fact, they are requesting more information to highlight that key performance indicators (KPIs) are being met. Examples of KPIs include the number of security incidents per site, the percentage of false alarms, the percentage of incidents that require a response and the average time to incident detection and resolution.


To enhance customer satisfaction, security firms can demonstrate their performance against KPIs through engaging, visually compelling dashboards and reports generated by sophisticated security software solutions. Regular sharing of these KPIs with clients, whether monthly or quarterly, keeps them continually informed of the value being delivered.


Biometrics in the security technology


To better track employee attendance and make sure that payroll information stays accurate, more security firms are using biometrics. Biometric time clocks can improve timekeeping and eliminate common forms of time and attendance fraud, which include buddy punching, ghost employees and supervisor fraud.


Biometric technology uses the unique biological characteristics that distinguish people from each other – fingerprints, eyes, voice and facial features – as identifiers. Biometrics enable employees to clock in and out, submit work leave and review their schedule. Best-in-class biometric solutions are accessible via a smartphone or tablet, instead of a tracking kiosk or time clock station.


For security contracts that require remote workers, biometrics can help minimise manual data entries, reduce human error, improve on-site security, streamline shift change and produce more accurate data for payroll. Additionally, biometric solutions can seamlessly integrate with payroll or time and attendance software to minimise the complexity of working with multiple systems.


The future of security technology


Security guard technology is rapidly evolving. Businesses that want to stay competitive must keep track of the variety of different technical trends in security. Although security technology is making a lot of advances in a short timeframe, security incident reporting software, biometrics and business intelligence solutions are a readily available option for commercial security contractors who wish to accomplish some of the same goals that tech trends are attempting to reach. These tools can help the industry better investigate incidents, respond more decisively, dramatically reduce time clock fraud, and make more informed business decisions.


Christian Berenger Director of Growth


TEAM Software by WorkWave. www.teamsoftware.com


© CITY SECURITY MAGAZINE – SUMMER 2024 www.citysecuritymagazine.com >


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