AI in Security
AI Enhances Security With Added Site Functionality – But Make Sure It Meets ‘Rules Of The Road’
Matthew Holliday, Director of Technical Services & Field Operations at the National Security Inspectorate (NSI), describes the exciting enhanced operational capabilities artificial intelligence brings to security systems, but cautions FMs to beware ethical and legal considerations governing its use as AI becomes the future norm.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has suddenly become a topic that
everyone seems to be talking about, whether you’re using large language models such as ChatGPT, audio transcription services or image generation models. But this evolving technology already has established links with security, where AI is embedded in tools many security professionals use daily.
AI is a broad umbrella term used to describe all kinds of actions performed by computers, some of which used to be merely termed software or algorithms. It encompasses a wide range of technologies that allow machines to mimic human intelligence, from pattern recognition and natural language processing to machine learning and predictive analytics.
Unlocking Potential
While there are concerns about issues including privacy, lack of regulation, and the risk of bypassing a ‘human in the loop’ many organisations recognise AI’s value in helping to drive efficiency, cut costs and unlock new capabilities. Facilities’ site protection can benefit from video analytics, for example, where AI algorithms automatically detect motion, identify objects and generate real-time alerts.
A similarly high-profile use of AI involves facial recognition, where there are significant security benefits in terms of risk management, safety, and time and attendance, for example. Additionally, monitoring of authorised site zones can be complemented with evidential quality recordings for potential prosecutions.
But FMs should also consider the related implications of sensitivities over privacy and civil liberty concerns, which prompted the publication of BS 9347:2024, a code of practice for the ethical, legal and operational deployment of facial recognition systems to which NSI was a contributor. These issues include governance and accountability, along with technical robustness and safety. Compliance will help fulfil ethical and legal obligations in relation to privacy and data protection regulation, avoiding potential fines and reputational damage. It can also can help mitigate the risk of legal challenges, minimize the risk of system misuse or abuse, and reduce the risk of data breaches. In terms of future proofing, it’s likely BS 9347 will become a mandated part of the future public procurement of facial recognition technologies.
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However, full trust has yet to be established in the reliability and transparency of AI-powered systems, particularly in alarm filtering and facial recognition. Without clear regulations,
mandatory
standards, or independent certification through a UKAS-accredited third-party certification body such as NSI, this lack of oversight makes it hard for customers to trust the accuracy of AI, especially when machine-made decisions can have serious consequences, such as triggering police response or denying access to a site.
AI’s Revenue-Generating Potential
AI is, however, contributing towards a welcome paradigm shift in the longstanding grudge purchase image of security, which has proved a negative drag on the sector. It’s achieving this by starting to unlock business value, enabling security solutions to be seen as strategic assets instead of mere cost centres.
Key to this welcome new perception is the integration of surveillance systems with other site operational tools. For instance, risk prevention and detection technology can be dual purposed, enabling them to combine their primary security functionality with site management applications to e.g. improve staff deployment, increase productivity and enhance profitability.
By delivering these ‘value-added’ applications, AI-enhanced security systems are proving their worth not just in loss prevention, but also in sales growth and a range of potential operational benefits.
Additional AI Applications
AI’s functionality in the security sector extends far beyond alarms and cameras. It offers tangible potential to help FMs analyse data and trends, track geographic patterns and predict security threats before they arise.
But while this is a tool that never sleeps, never forgets and
constantly learns, its applications must be carefully managed through a framework of ethical and legal ‘rules of the road’ to ensure its deployment is transparent and accountable.
For more information please visit:
www.nsi.org.uk
Alarm Monitoring
AI is also routinely deployed to help reduce false alerts in remotely monitored security alarm systems. Intelligent filtering processes help distinguish between genuine threats and harmless events, intervening in the stage between an initial alarm activation and its review by operators at third-party certified alarm receiving centres. This filtering helps reduce operator fatigue and improve alarm response times.
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