Technology is having a positive impact on public safety thanks to advancements in incident monitoring software.

Traditional alarm and CCTV monitoring processes left organisations vulnerable to threats. For example, human operators can only monitor a limited number of security cameras at any given time, and there’s the risk of errors leading to false alarms or delayed responses. Legacy systems were also expensive to maintain and keep up to date, leaving organisations vulnerable to downtime and cyber threats.  

Thankfully, nobody needs to face these challenges anymore – a range of new technologies are now on the scene, taking the security industry to new heights.

Advances in Alarm Monitoring

Alarm monitoring software is becoming more robust thanks to cloud based SaaS platforms, and the combination of different monitoring devices including security cameras and sensors. Combined with AI, the ability to accurately detect threats is greater than ever before. Let’s explore more about the different advances available.

Speechbot

Our Speechbot technology uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) to act as a virtual assistant for alarm monitoring systems, screening alarms before involving a human agent. Staff are then free to dedicate their time and attention to true emergencies.

Speechbot is available in 100+ languages – ideal for international organisations. Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) operators get to focus on critical alarms while the bot automatically handles those of a less urgent nature. It does so by calling pre-agreed contacts and presenting them with various options such as cancelling the alarm, dispatching a guard, or transferring the call to a human operator.  

More benefits of Speechbot:

• Helps organisations to scale their security operations at a low cost.
• Maximises service capacity without compromising quality.
• Provides a fully compliant log of all incidents.
• You set the parameters about which alarms should be handled automatically, and you have full control of how it responds to calls such as which alarm information to include and which options you want the contacts to choose between. 

Automated Dispatch

Automated dispatch in alarm monitoring is a process by which an alarm system automatically sends a signal to a monitoring centre or the emergency services when it detects an alarm event. This signal is then automatically processed by the monitoring centre’s system, which identifies the location of the alarm and dispatches the appropriate response team, such as law enforcement or fire department – all without human intervention.

Automated dispatch systems can help to reduce response times in emergency situations, as they eliminate the need for human operators to manually process and verify alarm signals before dispatching a response team. This is especially critical in situations where every second counts, such as in a fire or medical emergency.

Remote CCTV Monitoring 

Thanks to the cloud, mobile monitoring technologies enable security personnel to monitor alarms and respond to security threats remotely using mobile devices. This helps to improve response times and provide more flexibility and mobility for security personnel.

Advancements in Sensor Technology

IoT devices such as motion sensors, door sensors, and more can be integrated into a network and monitored remotely, providing a more comprehensive and sophisticated security solution. 

The sensors can then detect a range of threats including fire, gas leaks, and floods, and send automatic alerts of unusual or suspicious activity, or if sensor readings are beyond pre-established limits.  

NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) is a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology that provides reliable and secure connectivity for IoT devices. When it comes to incident monitoring, NB-IoT enables more efficient data transfer than traditional methods and uses very little power in the process. NB-IoT also provides greater coverage, supporting operations in remote or hard-to-reach locations.

Its low power consumption and all round versatility makes it the ideal solution for wide-scale monitoring such as within smart buildings and smart cities.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is having a significant impact on alarm response and has a range of applications. It can analyse sensor data to detect unusual patterns and potential threats. It can also be used to automate certain tasks, such as closing doors or turning off lights, which can help to contain the spread of a threat.

Another example is the use of AI-powered cameras in public spaces, which can detect potential threats such as unattended bags or suspicious behaviour and alert the appropriate authorities.

AI algorithms learn from past experiences and adapt to new situations, which helps to improve response times and reduce the risk of false alarms in the long run.

Blockchain 

Blockchain technology provides a tamper-proof and immutable record of all alarm data, ensuring that all information is accurately stored and cannot be altered retroactively. Blockchain can also facilitate secure and instantaneous data sharing between different parties, improving response times.  

Additionally, the use of smart contracts on the blockchain can automate certain aspects of the monitoring process, such as sending alerts and triggering actions in response to certain events.

The decentralised nature of blockchain means that there is no single point of failure, making the system more resilient to cyberattacks and other potential disruptions.

Drones

Drones provide aerial CCTV monitoring in order to detect security threats from above. They can also be equipped with other sensing technology as well as thermal imaging cameras to detect heat signatures.

One of the biggest advantages of using them is their ability to quickly survey a large area and monitor remote areas that cameras cannot reach, providing comprehensive coverage.  

The Future of Alarm Response

Aside from the above innovations that are already gaining traction, many more exciting developments are on the horizon. A few examples that are still in the research and development phase are discussed below.

Quantum Cryptography

Quantum cryptography is a technology that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to encrypt communication channels. This technology is considered virtually unbreakable and can provide a highly secure and reliable way to transmit alarm monitoring data. 

Nanosensors

Nanosensors are tiny sensors that can detect changes in environmental conditions, such as the presence of hazardous gases. 

These sensors are more sensitive and cost-effective than the standard sensors currently used in many scenarios; integrating them into alarm monitoring systems will therefore provide more sophisticated and accurate data on potential environmental threats. 

Perhaps a good candidate for these versatile sensors will be data centres[KM1]  due to the range of environmental variables that need to be controlled within them.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) is the overlaying of text, images, and other types of information over a live scene, its purpose being to give the viewer extra insights. The user will view these details through monitors or smart glasses/headsets. What are its applications in alarm monitoring and response? 

AR could be used to provide real-time, interactive visual information about security threats as well as details that can help first responders provide the most effective assistance. For example, police officers could navigate to the scene of a crime or distress call based on information overlaid on top of the actual live environment, helping them find their way faster and more accurately. Many users may perform better with visual cues such as seeing arrows on the path ahead of them, rather than receiving verbal instructions.  

Conclusion

Advancements in alarm response technology are transforming the way we respond to security threats and helping to improve the overall effectiveness of alarm monitoring and response system.

In addition, various cutting-edge advancements are within reach such as AR and – even though they are not yet widely available – they have the potential to revolutionise the field of alarm monitoring in the near future, providing solutions that are more sophisticated and accurate than ever before.

GeminiSense provides top security organisations across the world with state-of-the-art incident monitoring software built on robust event transmission technology. Our systems are equipped for a diverse range of monitoring scenarios – from smart buildings to lone worker solutions and more. To leverage our decades of expertise – contact us today to arrange a demo.