Page 14 - Security Today, January 2018

Tools for Smarter, Safer Cities
A lot of people wonder where and how to begin. What does it take grow into a smarter, safer city? First, we need to understand the true nature of our cities. Understanding what each one needs and devel- oping solutions is not always easy, as many stakeholders do not nec- essarily know where potential pitfalls or answers may lie, nor can they see how a solution or program that one group implements can help or benefit another. More people are moving to urban areas, which creates many infrastructure and security challenges for both munici- palities and businesses.
Because urban spaces are complex, a city’s resilience is depen- dent on the successful connection and communication between many organizations and stakeholders. This means that they must develop networks, acquire new technology skills and stay current on changing regulations. Only through close collaboration between police, city of- ficials and businesses can communities build the strategies necessary for keeping citizens safe and creating the right conditions for true resiliency.
Our task is to establish strong foundations that support and maintain the efficient flow of people, assets and ideas in our cities. These foundations must allow our city and community stakeholders to communicate effectively both now and in the future. When given the opportunity to share technology, resources and information, cit- ies can significantly improve the way they meet challenges and solve problems, making an ordinary “everyday” possible via extraordinary technologies and collaboration.
Video Surveillance
Taking advantage of the video surveillance systems that large and small businesses already use to monitor activity inside and outside of
their premises is extremely beneficial. As part of a larger integrated system, these same cameras can now drive business by helping to cre- ate safer shared spaces.
Through collaboration with law enforcement, these cameras can become essential tools for promoting public safety within a communi- ty. High-quality, detailed video not only provides timely information to responding officers but also simplifies the ensuing investigation. Rather than having to wait several hours to transfer or grant access to video, business owners will be able to quickly share a suspect’s image with officers close to the scene of a crime, helping expedite the search, investigation and resolution of the incident.
Moving Forward
As we have seen, by focusing on the healthy flow of people, products, information and ideas, institutions and organizations can provide better experiences and greater accessibility. Ultimately, we see that security can go far deeper than safety.
Where improving communication and collaboration across a single, albeit distributed, organization can be relatively easy, connecting dis- parate groups within or across communities can be more challenging. When we consider the benefits, however, it becomes clear that overcom- ing these obstacles is well worth the effort. The ability to respond ef- fectively to an emergency and return to normal as quickly as possible is a key measure of success for both organizations
and governments. With the right tools, we can free
ourselves from siloed thinking and work to secure
a productive, smart and safe future for both people
and businesses.
Pota Kanavaros is a product marketing manager at Genetec Inc.
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