Modern physical asset surveillance goes beyond passive monitoring and focuses on data analytics. This approach allows teams to make better decisions based on information that wasn’t previously available.
Surveillance and tracking services help deter criminals from targeting a property. Their mere presence also has a psychological effect on subjective security.
Real-time Video Monitoring
Real-time video monitoring provides homeowners with peace of mind that their home and family are safe and protected. Homeowners can monitor multiple areas of their property simultaneously and get alerted to unauthorized activity via smart devices, voice assistants, or other security systems. This allows them to take immediate action, increasing their safety and the security of their belongings.
For business owners, remote video monitoring can help reduce operational costs, increase revenue, and improve customer experiences. For example, retail stores can benefit from real-time video monitoring to address internal theft and ensure compliance with policies relating to health and safety regulations, inventory management, or receiving new merchandise. In addition, retailers can utilize real-time video monitoring to identify and mitigate customer injuries resulting from slip-and-fall incidents that incur significant financial liabilities.
The integration of AI and ML technology can further enhance the capabilities of real-time video monitoring by enabling them to detect anomalies faster and anticipate potential security breaches with greater accuracy. For instance, the software can detect recurring patterns and behavior that may indicate a possible criminal act such as loitering, unauthorized vehicle movements, or crowds gathering around a specific location. In addition, it can also alert operators when there are objects dwelling in areas that should be clear of people or vehicles. It can even recognize persons of interest using facial recognition technology.
Vehicle Tracking
Vehicle tracking systems use GPS technology to monitor the location of your vehicles. They’re an integral part of the “layered approach” to motor vehicle theft prevention, as recommended by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Vehicle trackers will alert you if an alarm is triggered, your vehicle moves without authorization or if it leaves or enters a geofence. They’re also useful for finding stolen vehicles, as some systems will communicate with a central monitoring center to alert police of their location.
The logistics and transport industries are the most common users of vehicle tracking, but other businesses have found creative ways to incorporate it into their processes or products. For example, luxury hotels use vehicle tracking systems in limousines to ensure staff greet VIP guests promptly; food delivery companies can monitor the temperature of refrigerated trucks, as well as the route they take; and car rental businesses are using it to track their fleets.
There are several types of vehicle tracking systems, but all work similarly. Plug-and-play devices don’t require professional installation, lowering the cost and potential vehicle downtime. Professionally installed devices offer more data, however, and include sensors that can warn you if the device is tampered with or removed, as well as hardwired connections for accessories like single- or dual-facing dashcams, temperature monitors and panic and privacy buttons.
Asset Tracking
Asset tracking systems use hardware and software to remotely manage physical assets, from equipment and toolkits to inventory, parts, and shipping cargo. They help organizations document workflows and operational requirements, uphold regulatory compliance, and prevent theft or loss.
The goal is to identify where critical equipment is, associate it with technicians who have or are working with it, and to record the types of preventive maintenance or repairs it needs. This can be accomplished by barcodes, RFID tagging, or GPS (Global Positioning System) trackers. The three methods differ in their ability to monitor real-time location, which can be important for high-value assets that must remain in the right place at all times.
While many organizations invest in these systems to protect physical assets, their greatest value comes from the data they generate on operations. The data helps companies improve productivity, ensure workplace safety, and spot inefficiencies.
The most effective systems combine several monitoring technologies to capture a full picture of operations. They also use strong access control protocols, such as biometric authentication and RFID badges, to ensure only authorized personnel have access to secured areas. Organizations should also implement robust data management tools to reduce the risk of human error, which can be a significant challenge in any business environment. For instance, employees may forget to wear RFID badges or disregard safety protocols, leading to missed opportunities for improving operations.
Mobile Device Tracking
Tracking tools for mobile devices can assist in boosting employee online security, promoting responsible device usage, and facilitating remote work opportunities. However, some tracking methods require access to personal information and raise privacy concerns. Therefore, it is important to understand data-sharing practices and regularly review the permissions granted by tracking tools.
Advanced Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions provide comprehensive monitoring, enabling companies to track the behavior and business-critical data of enrolled devices. Using machine learning and AI, these tools can also identify cyberthreats and help prevent potential breaches.
In addition, MDMs feature geo-tracking settings that instantly provide laptop or cellphone locations. This allows workers to stay on task and reduce the risk of data loss or theft.
Enhanced face recognition software is another powerful tool that can be used for security, attendance control, and visitor counting. This technology can identify people in real time, and it automatically generates alerts if it detects an unfamiliar person. It can even distinguish the difference between a person’s clothing, accessories, and facial features to identify someone who shouldn’t be on your property.
Another great surveillance solution is GEOfinder, which uses a combination of cell towers and GPS signals to pinpoint a phone’s location. It’s available for both Android and iPhone devices. It’s easy to install and includes functionalities for recording phone call audio, internet activity, and e-mails.