Page 46 - Security Today, July/August 2022

“System security is further enhanced by no requirements for opening inbound ports, multifactor authentication, NIST- compliant data encryption and transport layer security.”
Preventive maintenance. A dealer can inspect and clean hardware once or twice a year to ensure equipment is clean and in good working order. This also helps en- sure the best image quality.
Notifications. If alert notifications on the system’s health, intrusion or analytics are set up, a dealer can perform remote diagnostics and take action more quickly.
Software update. A dealer can moni- tor when software updates are released, whether recorder updates or camera firm- ware, and make sure those updates are de- ployed in a timely fashion. This can all be done remotely.
Video export assistance. Though the process may be intuitive, if an end user doesn’t export video regularly, they can feel pressure to find and deliver video clips to authorities or remember how to share them in the system. A dealer can help per- form this function if a crisis happens.
Video verification. If an incident hap- pens and an alert notification is sent, someone needs to verify the event by view- ing the associated video so that action can be taken. A video management system with the right integrations can provide data from sensors, cameras or recorders, from an alarm panel alert to video loss.
Overall, VSaaS enables more efficient diagnostics and service than the tradition- al dealer-end user arrangement.
TRADITIONAL SERVICE PROCESS
1. The end user has an incident to investi- gate, which may not be determined im- mediately.
2. The end user finds a problem with the system.
3. The end user notifies the dealer.
4. The dealer scrambles to send a techni- cian to the site to troubleshoot, which
typically requires a fee.
5. Either the technician repairs the system
or initiates a parts order and might not
be able to provide a timeline for repair.
6. Parts arrive, and the dealer schedules the
46
repair, which could be days or weeks later. 7. The system is repaired in a second trip.
SERVICE PROCESS WITH VSAAS
1. The dealer or end user receives a health alert. If a camera is down, for example, the end user can take action and post a guard or enact other measures.
2. The dealer troubleshoots remotely. This is most likely successful, so the situa- tion is resolved. If the problem is not solved remotely, the dealer identifies the on-site problem.
parts and schedules repairs, not disrupt-
ing business flow.
4. End user takes action knowing there is
a malfunction.
5. The technician performs service in one
trip.
6. The situation is
resolved.
Jesse Crawford is the vice president of sales, North America, for
8 FEATURES YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A CLOUD-MANAGED VIDEO SOLUTION
Managing a VMS through a cloud platform offers a number of features including remote software updates, remote user management and video verification.
Analytics. From motion detection to person and vehicle classification to point of sale data, provide the actionable intelligence a business needs to make informed decisions or take actions. They can be at the edge or on a recorder and processed on a bridge or in the cloud. The more data points obtained, the clearer picture a business has of its operations.
Health monitoring. Active system health monitoring enables preventive maintenance rather than reactive maintenance. End users and integrators will know that cameras are seeing what they are supposed to be seeing, whether they are blocked, out of position or off. The system also can show if a recorder’s hard drive is close to capacity or if a proces- sor isn’t working. Push notifications will let a user know immediately whether a camera or recorder has gone offline, so the problem can be fixed, thereby reducing the risk that video will be missing if an incident happens.
User management. Users are managed in the cloud and can be managed remotely, and they can set permissions and groups. Any changes are enacted immediately. If a sys- tem utilizes a third-party identity management service and an employee exits the company, for example, they can be deactivated. Centralized management in the cloud streamlines operations.
Single sign-on. With single sign-on, users log into the system with their email address and their password, whether they are accessing the system through a thick client, web cli- ent or mobile app. User profiles should be tied to logins, so that they are visible regardless on which device a customer accesses the system.
Multifactor authentication. As an added layer of security, a cloud VMS should offer multifactor authentication. If a user accesses the system through a public computer, they will be challenged to verify their identity. It’s a minor inconvenience for more protection.
Continuous and remote software updates. Within a VSaaS model, users expect regular updates and improvement. In the case of recorders, for example, administrators can receive notifications when software is updated and initiate updates with the click of a button. Being able to update software remotely prevents service technicians from having to do so on-site and without the use of removable media, which can be a security risk.
Clip storage and sharing. If an incident occurs, users want to find associated video, save it and share it with fellow staff members, insurance companies, law enforcement or oth- ers. Streaming all video to the cloud is expensive and requires bandwidth. Being able to search for video quickly and determine which clips to save and share optimizes the process. Ideally, saved clips are shared via a password-protected link and can be viewed in a browser on any device. An administrator should be able to see if the clips have been viewed.
Reporting and alerting. Reports provide a clear picture of the business while alert notifica- tions enable security and facilities staff to know when an incident happens. Perhaps a property management company wants to get a daily report showing the loading dock is clear and ready for deliveries in the morning. Maybe a school district needs a report during winter to see whether snow has been removed before students arrive. Reports and notifications that are delivered au- tomatically provide a clear picture of the system to the channel partner and end user and enable them to take action quickly if needed.
3. The dealer notifies the end user, orders OpenEye.
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