Page 18 - Security Today, June 2018

More Than Meets the Eye -
Cloud Video Surveillance
BWith a multitude of cloud providers vying for market share to store your data and provide cloud computing, creating your own data center deployments with associated hardware, networking and storage systems, doesn’t generally top the list of additional headaches one might pursue in today’s world, unless you are Dean Drako.
Drako, the CEO and founder of Eagle Eye Networks, provider of cloud-based video surveillance solutions, based in Austin, Texas, understands the Internet, networking and cy- ber security. If Barracuda Networks comes to mind, you would be right. He was the founder of the global cyber security company that specializes in providing cloud-based firewalls, virus and spam protection—all delivered by way of a cloud subscription service.
Although he could have outsourced his cloud needs to the likes of AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google, Drako chose to build out his own cloud infrastructure to obtain the needed layers of security, guarantee compli- ance with local regulations, reach the neces- sary price points and minimize video latency.
“One of the keys to building a success- ful cloud and cyber business is owning the technology and infrastructure from end to end so you can deliver the best product,” Drako said. “We deploy our own hardware and storage designed specifically for video. This also means we have the in-house skills to clear any hurdle and solve any customer problem or need. To provide the best global solution for surveillance video, I could not afford to take the risk of outsourcing our cloud needs.”
Starting in North America, Drako grew his cloud capacity worldwide to meet the de- mands of the growing international business.
“As I see it, everything is moving to the cloud,” Drako said. “Video and security systems will be no different. ERPs, CRMs, billing systems, email, collaboration services, screen sharing; they have all moved to the cloud. Video in the cloud has so many ad- vantages over being on premise. Once the data is in the cloud you can do so much more with it such as: redundancy, analytics, arti- ficial intelligence, big data analysis, sharing, and more.”
Further Than the Eye Can See
Since its inception in 2012, Eagle Eye has
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Dean Drako
launched data centers all over the world and Drako has taken cloud video surveillance application to an all-time high. While North America was first in Drako’s sights, covering the world was always the goal. In 2013 and 2014, Drako built out video surveillance infra- structure in four data centers covering North America and then turned his attention to Asia.
“Developing a channel and winning cus- tomers in Asia Pacific at an early stage was a real challenge and a benefit to the company,” Drako said. “My experience has been that the Asia Pacific market can drive a great deal of innovation with their differing market needs and demands. This kind of environ- ment is great for a technology company to learn key internationalization lessons.”
Based on this business principle, Drako launched two data center locations in Tokyo and quickly became a recognized cloud vid- eo surveillance brand in the region.
In late 2015, Drako moved the growth focus to Europe and the Middle East. The company’s first data center was launched in London with plans that the region would experience the same type of rapid growth as North America and Asia Pacific. Unfortu- nately, the 2016 calendar year showed lack- luster performance in the European market.
Ken Francis
This prompted Drako to search for a bigger way to enter the European market while re- maining true to the business strategy. Cloud was going to take off in Europe; it was just a matter of time.
In the summer of 2016, Drako hired se- curity industry veteran Ken Francis to serve as president of Eagle Eye and run its day to day operations. Francis formerly operated global security manufacturing businesses for the United Technology Corporation, GE Security and Group 4, and was instrumental in the development of their global channels and go-to-market strategies.
An Eye on the Prize
After considering many organic and acquisi- tive alternatives, Drako and Francis found their diamond in the rough in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Amsterdam is considered one of the startup hubs of Europe with nu- merous technology companies succeeding or failing based on the tangible value of their services. In Amsterdam, they found the ideal acquisition committed to Eagle Eye’s same cloud strategy, including a focus on commer- cial solutions and the development of pur- pose built cloud systems. CameraManager, was founded by Rishi Lodhia and Tijmen
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