Page 70 - Security Today, September 2019

SECURE CITIES
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Thinking Smarter About Smart City Security
BTy Will Wise
he world is quickly urbanizing, and people are flock- ing from suburbs and rural areas to cities more than ever before. By 2050, 68 percent of the global popula- tion will live in cities, and while concerns like public safety and security are top of mind, the integration of
component, they must be approached holistically.
One integral part of improving smart cities involves the effective
use of smart communication and alert systems. From natural disas- ter evacuations to security lockdown alerts, smart alert systems cre- ate value by giving advanced warning to the public and improving first responders’ and emergency response times. IoT devices can de- tect storms and dangerous activity and send warnings to the public quicker and more efficiently, boosting public safety.
Other IoT devices like video surveillance can enhance safety through heightened intelligence, leading to a better overall safe eco- nomic climate through facial recognition, license plate detection, weapon detection and environmental monitoring in smart build- ings. IoT devices, such as self-driving cars and shuttles, connected in- tersections, smart parking and drone deliveries in the future, can play a role in smart city planning through improved transportation and citizen mobility. There are many encouraging advanced technology developments underway, such as LiDAR sensor technology testing and usage, and the DHS Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Apex programs.
With more than 2 billion motor vehicles set to hit the world’s roads by 2040, solving overcrowding on roads is important to prevent congestion and save lives. Drones can assess traffic accidents from a new angle to help detectives and give police officers a better perspec-
internet-connected devices (IoT) and convergence of physical and cy- bersecurity promise improvement and better support for safe urban living and improved mobility.
From smart transportation like driverless vehicles and smart parking management, to smart thermostats, fire and water detectors in buildings, to gunshot detection and supply chain management— IoT-enabled smart cities have the opportunity to increase security, public safety and overall quality of life in large urban settings. In fact, the IoT in the smart cities market is projected to be worth $219.6 billion by 2023. However, these devices and systems also come along with security and data integration challenges that require proactivity and strategic partnerships, defined by collaboration between private and public entities.
IoT Security Challenges
To tackle a big challenge and opportunity like IoT security, it’s best to start out small by considering the different aspects of cyber and phys- ical convergence. Because every device has a hardware and a software
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0919 | SECURITY TODAY