Page 15 - Security Today, May/June 2025

Image courtesy of David Marsh
unlike any in its history. Indeed, much of the
The security industry is facing a transformation
modern world is in this position. From the indus-
trial revolution to the rise of automation, labor-
intensive roles have continuously evolved, and
security is no exception. AI is now fundamentally altering how
security is managed, shifting from human-reliant surveillance
and guard services to intelligent, autonomous security solutions.
This shift raises a critical question: How long until AI takes
over traditional security jobs?
Short answer: It has already begun. And While AI will un-
doubtedly replace many roles, the reality is more complex. The
security industry is not being eliminated; it is being redefi ned,
again much like many other global industries. Those who em-
brace this evolution will fi nd new opportunities, while those who
resist risk being left behind. As with every revolution there will be
winners and losers.
But you are reading this because the headline touched a nerve,
and you want to calculate the reality of Your job being at risk –
and when. Read on for answers.
THE LIMITATIONS OF TRADITIONAL SECURITY
For decades, security has depended on human staffi ng and reac-
tive surveillance systems. Security offi cers patrol sites, respond to
incidents, and monitor surveillance feeds. However, these legacy
models come with signifi cant challenges.
Human attention span limitations. Studies show that after 20
minutes of continuous monitoring, an operator’s ability to detect
threats drops by up to 95 percent.
High labor costs. Security staffi ng requires signifi cant investment
in wages, training, and scheduling, making 24/7 coverage expensive.
Reactive rather than proactive. Surveillance systems often serve
forensic purposes rather than preventing incidents in real-time.
Inconsistencies in human response. Security staff may experience
fatigue, distraction, or gaps in coverage, leading to missed threats.
The fl aws of this system are well documented. Former FBI
Special Agent and RAD’s chief security offi cer, Troy McCanna,
witnessed these failures fi rsthand.
“We had a GSOC at the FBI with two people overseeing 300
camera feeds,” McCanna said. “They didn’t even glance at them.
Footage was only reviewed after something happened. There was
no proactive monitoring because it just was not possible.”
Security companies are now recognizing that human-led mon-
itoring and patrols alone are no longer enough. AI is stepping in
to fi ll these gaps.
THE REMOTE VIDEO MONITORING REVOLUTION
One of the security industry’s largest and most immediate shifts
is happening in Remote Video Monitoring (RVM). Traditionally,
remote monitoring has relied on human operators watching doz-
ens of live feeds simultaneously, attempting to identify security
threats in real time. This model is proving increasingly ineffi cient
for several reasons.
Cognitive overload. Security operators monitoring multiple
W W W . S E C U R I T Y T O D A Y. C O M screens experience fatigue and reduced effectiveness.
Missed events. Many critical incidents go unnoticed because
human operators cannot sustain constant vigilance.
Slow response times. When a threat is detected, the manual
reporting process delays intervention.
High operational costs – Maintaining 24/7 monitoring teams is
expensive and diffi cult to scale.
AI-powered solutions are disrupting this space by replac-
ing human oversight with intelligent, autonomous monitoring
systems. AI-driven monitoring platforms like RAD’s SARA™
(Speaking Autonomous Responsive Agent) are revolutionizing
RVM by analyzing and responding to video feeds in real time,
without requiring continuous human intervention.
HOW AI IS TRANSFORMING REMOTE VIDEO MONITORING
Real-time threat detection. AI-powered platforms monitor live
feeds with unmatched accuracy, detecting unauthorized access,
suspicious movement and anomalies instantly. AI does not experi-
ence fatigue or distractions, ensuring consistent, 24/7 surveillance.
Automated response and engagement. Unlike passive camera
feeds, AI actively engages with potential threats by issuing audio
warnings, fl ashing deterrent lights, and escalating alerts to securi-
ty teams. AI-driven monitoring can differentiate between routine
activity and real threats, reducing false alarms and unnecessary
security dispatches.
Cloud-based scalability. AI-enabled remote monitoring allows
video feeds to be processed in the cloud, enabling security opera-
tions centers to scale without increasing staffi ng costs. Security
teams can oversee multiple sites effi ciently, shifting from direct
monitoring to managing AI-generated alerts.
Cost reduction and effi ciency gains. AI automates tasks tra-
ditionally managed by human operators, signifi cantly reduc-
ing operational costs. Organizations transitioning to AI-driven
monitoring can reduce reliance on large monitoring teams while
improving overall security outcomes.
McCanna emphasizes the impact of this transformation:
“The era of relying on people to stare at screens for hours hoping
to catch something is over. AI-powered monitoring like SARA
sees everything, responds instantly, and ensures security threats
do not go unnoticed.”
THE SARA AI AGENT: REDEFINING
SECURITY COORDINATION AND RESPONSE
The introduction of AI-powered security agents has transformed
the way incidents are detected, assessed, and addressed in real
time. RAD’s SARA (Speaking Autonomous Responsive Agent)
represents a fundamental leap forward, replacing outdated, frag-
mented security processes with an intelligent, fully integrated AI-
driven command center that operates faster and more effi ciently
than human-led monitoring ever could.
A live information transfer hub. SARA acts as a real-time com-
munication bridge, engaging with multiple parties simultaneously
to streamline incident response. Whether coordinating between
on-site security, remote monitoring centers, or emergency respond-
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