Security is a critical concern for businesses of all sizes. Over the years, there have been various attempts to provide security solutions, such as traditional security guards and surveillance cameras. However, traditional security systems have several limitations, including high costs, privacy concerns, and limited visibility. Today, drones for security are changing the game by providing comprehensive coverage and high-resolution sensors and cameras. In this article, we will explore how drones for security work, the potential cost savings compared to traditional security systems, and the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting this technology.
A Brief History of Security Technology
The history of security technology can be traced back to the first human security guards who were tasked with physically protecting buildings and people. As technology progressed, so did security systems. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, or surveillance cameras, became the norm in the mid-20th century. These cameras provided live camera imagery from dozens of locations throughout a facility, and a security guard’s primary occupation was often sitting in front of those screens, looking for any suspicious movement or activity that should be further investigated.
While this approach provided a sense of comprehensive coverage, it created a false sense of security due to a list of well-known drawbacks associated with CCTV installations. The primary issue with surveillance cameras is that they are mounted in a static location, making them predictable and easy to avoid for anyone looking to get into mischief. In addition, to cover every area of a large facility, the security manager would have to install and maintain massive numbers of cameras mounted in every location, pointed in every direction. Most standard hardware is not high resolution or set up to automatically zoom or react, which means the images are often blurry and pixelated.
There is also a privacy issue with cameras mounted on the wall and aimed down at the workforce. Even if only intended for after-hours use, there is no way to know when they are functioning, recording, who is looking, or why.
Traditional Security Systems: A Paradigm with Problems
The traditional approach to security, which is over half a century old, brings with it so many weaknesses that it’s almost irresponsible to rely on cameras for peace of mind when a more effective solution is readily available. Human guards, on the other hand, have their own limitations. They can’t be everywhere at once, and even if they could somehow monitor all the CCTV screens at once, that supervision cannot be airtight. There is always the possibility of missing a quick movement due to a limited attention span toward the end of a long shift. It’s unstimulating work in which the screens will, 99% of the time, show nothing of note.
This is where drone technology comes in. Drones offer a more effective solution to traditional security systems, which are plagued with issues such as limited visibility, high costs, and privacy concerns. Drones can provide comprehensive coverage, with the ability to fly autonomously and scan areas from different angles, making them much more difficult to avoid for those who are up to no good.
How Drones for Security Work
Drones for security can provide comprehensive coverage of large facilities, such as office buildings, parking structures, malls, and warehouses. They can fly autonomously on predetermined routes, scanning areas from different angles to detect departures from the norm, recording 360-degree video to document everything happening in all directions. The most advanced droes can adapt and move in closer for a better look when they detect unusual activity.
Drones come equipped with high-resolution sensors and cameras that can see in low light, detect unusual heat or water, and compress the data on the fly. Even with all these advantages, a drone costs roughly as much as three or four cameras, but then replaces 100 of them. Drones also eliminate the privacy issue as they only emerge and begin work after hours, without creating that feeling of being watched by a static camera as you work.
Case Study: MedOne’s Implementation of Indoor Robotics’ Tando™ System
MedOne is Israel’s largest data center hub that provides comprehensive hosting and public cloud services. With a major communication hub of the State of Israel to the world, most of the communication traffic of the State of Israel passes through MedOne’s facilities. As such, the security of its facilities is critical to ensure the quality and protection of highly sensitive information.
In response to this need for heightened security, MedOne has implemented Indoor Robotics‘ Tando™ system, a fully autonomous indoor drone fleet that performs safety and security inspection missions independently, at its biggest server farm in Israel. The system conducts ongoing inspection rounds throughout the night and on weekends, monitoring the temperature and detecting any changes, malfunctions, or leaks in the environment.
The Tando™ system operates autonomously, according to the tasks defined by MedOne. The drones patrol the premises at set times, collect information, and report to the safety and security manager if unusual activity is detected, such as the identification of a person while the space is supposed to be empty, a leakage, a temperature change, or a door left open. The system can also be activated proactively to check alerts coming from other systems, such as smoke sensors, access controls, or motion sensors. The operator indicates which area on the map they want monitored and which information they want collected, and the system determines the most suitable drone for the mission while using the safest route to provide the information quickly. Information from the drone can be viewed in real time or after the mission is completed.
The Tando™ system provides complete and ongoing monitoring of the facilities at all times, ensuring heightened security and safety for MedOne’s server farms. In the future, MedOne intends to assimilate the technology into the rest of its facilities across the country, demonstrating the success and potential for drones in the security industry.
The Challenges of Mapping for SME Adopters
While the benefits of drone technology for security are clear, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may face challenges in implementing this technology due to the importance of accurate mapping for effective drone use. Accurate mapping is essential for drones to navigate through indoor and outdoor environments, detect anomalies, and respond to incidents efficiently.
Mapping for SME adopters can be a significant challenge, as it requires an investment in time, resources, and technology. In addition to the actual mapping process, the collected data must be analyzed and integrated into the drone’s navigation system for effective use. For SMEs, the costs and time involved in mapping may be a deterrent to adopting drone technology for security.
To address this issue, there has been an increase in the availability of affordable mapping tools and software, as well as companies offering mapping services for businesses. However, SMEs must carefully consider the cost-benefit analysis of implementing drone technology for security and whether the investment in mapping is worth the potential benefits.
Conclusion
Despite the challenges of implementation, the future looks promising for drones in security. The advantages of comprehensive coverage, high-resolution sensors and cameras, and potential cost savings make drones an attractive option for businesses looking to improve their security systems.
However, there is still a long way to go in terms of developing and refining this technology. Accurate mapping and regulatory issues are just a few of the challenges that need to be addressed. Ongoing research and development will be essential to further improve the effectiveness and efficiency of drone-based security systems.
As with any emerging technology, there will be skeptics and those who are hesitant to adopt it. But as more companies like MedOne implement drone-based security systems, it’s clear that drones have the potential to revolutionize the security industry. With the right investment in research, development, and implementation, drones could become the new standard in security technology.
