Start Preparing Now for Surveillance Tech Upgrades in 2021
If the unpredictability of 2020 has taught us anything, it is to be prepared for any scenario. No one could have foreseen the twists and turns that have taken place globally this year. Industry experts report that the last half of 2020 produced more digital transformation than the last decade combined. How will the rapid acceleration of technology from 2020 affect the business world in 2021? As the year draws to a close, it is a great time to review your current surveillance technology and prepare for upgrades and advances to implement in the new year. The following are suggested areas in which to improve within your current systems and/or to prepare your current systems for upgrades in 2021.

5G technology
5G technology is rapidly becoming available. This is the 5th generation of wireless technology that is primarily used to support cellular devices. 5G technology proves to be valuable in surveillance technology use because of its predicted ability to provide nearly uninterrupted service for seamless integration and monitoring of video surveillance.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
There are many advances in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning within the surveillance tech arena. With the increase in work-from-home employees, it has become increasingly important to shore up security controls with respect to remote access to company documents. The use of AI can help to monitor unusual behaviors and predict when and where breaches may occur. AI capabilities within your current systems act to create a security wall around the employee, no matter their location.
Globally, there are 770 million CCTVs in the world. By 2021, that number is expected to exceed one billion. With CCTV, AI can integrate and utilize license plate recognition, facial recognition and more to advance the effectiveness of your security system. When video surveillance systems are constantly recording, they will be able to provide high-quality video in real-time. As a result, your surveillance systems improve overall and improve your reaction time to events, taking action as an event happens, not after it happens. This will translate into fewer losses across the board.
Cloud Managed Surveillance Systems
The future of CCTV and video surveillance may very well be in cloud-managed surveillance systems. Cloud-based cybersecurity solutions were predicted to grow 33% in 2020 with even more growth in the future fueled in part by the increase in remote workers around the globe. Cloud-based video surveillance is effective and advantageous because it enables scalability and device management from a single connection without supporting hardware or security issues. Cloud-based video surveillance can also be monitored from more than one location at a time.
Facial Recognition
The new year may bring some definitive answers to the future of facial recognition technology. This technology has been applauded for its ease of deployment and implementation. Facial recognition technology is also popular because there is no physical interaction required by the end-user. There are many positive things that facial recognition software can be used for, like combatting crime and terrorism. Government sectors already use facial recognition technology when issuing identity documents and processing citizens at border checks. Law enforcement officers can utilize the technology in police checks and run searches against databases of driver’s license and ID photos. Additionally, CCTV systems that employ facial recognition technology can help find missing people, track criminals and support investigations.
However, the technology is not without criticism as an infringement on individual privacy. In the past year, there has been an outcry among lawmakers and privacy advocates alike against the technology as a tool for surveillance and law enforcement. Legal decisions in the next year will steer the future of this amazing technology.
The world of surveillance technology is rapidly advancing. New features and benefits continue to become available almost daily. LaTech is committed to learning about, sharing, and adapting to these developments, striving to be a wealth of knowledge on security and surveillance technologies that protect private citizens and businesses every day. To learn more about how surveillance is developing and how your company can adapt to the changes, call one of our trained professionals at LaTech today — simply call 225-214-3038 or fill out our quick contact form.