Page 22 - Security Today, November/December 2023

Through the use of a VMS, security teams can watch live surveil- lance footage, open (or lock) doors, trigger automated warnings and engage with the system in other valuable ways. The other convenient element that the cloud offers is scalability. In the past, a business with multiple locations would require a server and server room at each of those locations—which was often not finan- cially feasible, especially for smaller businesses. The advent of cloud support means it is now possible for businesses to deploy a small hand- ful of cameras at each location without the need for costly servers. Instead, those camera feeds can be sent directly to the cloud, where they can be monitored and accessed as needed. This has made the cloud a very attractive option for businesses seeking to scale and expand, and it’s a trend that will almost certainly con- tinue well into the future. CONTINUED IMPEDIMENTS TO CLOUD ADOPTION All of that said, for those in the security industry, whether you con- sider the cloud a friend or foe probably has a lot to do with whether you are an end user or an integrator. The shift to the cloud has left many integrators unhappy as cloud providers often employ a direct sales model, marketing themselves to end users directly. In some ways, this is good for consumers, as it can reduce the cost of implementation—but it is important to remember that integrators play an essential role that goes beyond installation. That value that integrators bring to the table as trusted partners and advisors should not be underestimated, and many organiza- tions are understandably hesitant to move away from those reli- able partnerships in favor of a fully cloud-based system. There are other potential drawbacks that businesses should be aware of as well. As cloud usage expands, businesses have found that while the reduction in CapEx can be advantageous, the added operational expenditure (OpEx) can become more expensive over time. Many cloud providers require businesses to sign a long-term contract, and while subscription fees generally start at reasonable rates, they can climb quickly as storage requirements expand. A business adding a large number of devices and locations may find that the amount of video they need to analyze, and store has grown dramatically, resulting in significantly higher costs. Cloud storage may still make more sense than on-site servers, but it’s important for businesses to weigh their options before committing. On a similar note, businesses must know how long they need footage stored. Cloud providers generally store footage for 30 to 90 days (depending on the contract), but certain businesses or industries may need footage stored for two years or more. On- premises solutions give organizations total control over the stor- age duration, but long-term storage can be more difficult—and expensive—in the cloud. It’s an important reminder that, despite the rapid ascension of cloud-based security solutions, they re- main use case-dependent, and it’s critical for organizations to un- derstand their specific needs before making a decision. TRENDING TOWARD BALANCE There have already been murmurs of “cloud backlash,” and it is true that some organizations have pulled back from aggressive cloud investments in favor of reestablishing on-premises storage. But it is important to consider these developments in context: these businesses are not, by and large, going from a fully cloud- based deployment to a fully on-premises deployment. Instead, they are striking a balance between the two, embracing a hybrid approach to security and data storage that allows them to strad- dle the line between cloud and on-premises. For most businesses, this is a wise approach, and one we can expect to see more of in the coming years. Organizations with a number of small sites may choose to fully embrace the cloud, while an organization based around a large, monolithic system like an airport may choose an entirely on-premises system. But the space between those two possibilities is vast, and most businesses will find that the advantageous course of action is to avoid committing entirely to one option or the other. A small, on-premises server can grant a business greater control over their data storage, while a lim- ited cloud investment can offer them benefits like remote access and device management capabilities. Another option for on-site storage is using SD cards, especially since today’s high-end SD cards can easily store 30-60 days of video, meaning no server room or IT closet is needed. Modern SD cards also have long life spans, and can even outlast the cameras that house them and can—though the downside is that if camera is stolen or removed, so is all video. Critically, integrators will continue to play a necessary role in advising organizations on this hybrid approach, providing expert insight on how to most effectively deploy cloud and on-premises solutions. But it may force integrators to change the way they operate—namely, it will be increasingly important for them to align themselves with channel-friendly companies that recognize the valuable role they play in managing the relationship between product and end user. As hybrid deployments become increasingly common in the coming years, manufacturers, integrators, and end users will benefit from maintaining a close working relationship and ensuring that information flows smoothly between all parties. UNDERSTANDING BOTH CLOUD AND ON-PREMISES SOLUTIONS IS CRITICAL The rapid growth of cloud-based solutions highlights the essential role the cloud now plays in the security world—but a growing num- ber of organizations now recognize that balance is needed. The benefits offered by on-premises solutions cannot be overlooked, and what was once an overwhelming trend toward cloud adop- tion has shifted toward the embrace of hybrid security solutions. Integrators today can help businesses identify which solutions are right for their specific needs and locations, providing the insights necessary to straddle different solutions as appropriate. Both cloud and on-premises solutions will have an important role to play for most organizations, and as the trend toward hy- brid deployments continues, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each will be increasingly critical. Fredrik Nilsson is the vice president, Americas, at Axis Communications. 22 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | SECURITY TODAY SECURITY TRENDS