Page 16 - Security Today, May/June 2025

C O V E R S T O R Y
ers, SARA ensures critical information fl ows instantly between the
right people. By keeping multiple stakeholders informed at once,
SARA eliminates delays, prevents miscommunication, and enables
the fastest possible response to security events.
Comprehensive situational awareness. Unlike traditional secu-
rity operators who are limited by attention span and screen count,
SARA monitors all available camera feeds at the same time. This
continuous, multi-angle oversight ensures no event goes undetect-
ed, providing designated security personnel with instant insights
on what is happening and where. The result is unmatched aware-
ness, faster decision-making, and proactive rather than reactive
security management.
Real-time video sharing on demand. When an incident oc-
curs, security professionals need immediate visual confi rmation.
SARA eliminates delays by sending live video feeds via text mes-
sage, giving security teams, law enforcement, or authorized stake-
holders instant access to critical footage. Whether assessing a
potential intrusion or verifying a situation remotely, SARA puts
real-time intelligence directly into the hands of decision-makers.
Autonomous security deployment. Beyond detection and com-
munication, SARA takes action. The AI agent can dispatch in-
structions to other autonomous security devices such as robotic
patrol units and deterrent systems to respond to incidents in real
time. Rather than waiting for human intervention, SARA ensures
that security assets are deployed immediately, reducing response
time and minimizing risk.
This level of intelligent automation fundamentally changes
what is possible in security operations. By eliminating human
bottlenecks, increasing situational awareness and enabling seam-
less coordination between monitoring, response teams, and au-
tonomous devices, SARA delivers performance, effi ciency, and
cost savings that legacy security systems simply cannot match.
AI-POWERED SECURITY GUARD AUGMENTATION
Beyond remote monitoring, AI and robotics are supplementing
traditional security staff in other ways.
Autonomous patrol units conduct mobile surveillance, reduc-
ing the need for on-site guards.
AI-powered access control verifi es identities and manages site
entry without human oversight.
Predictive security analytics identify risks before incidents oc-
cur, enabling proactive security measures.
“AI-driven security isn’t about eliminating jobs; it’s about
elevating them,” said Mark Folmer, CPP, PSP, president of Ro-
botic Assistance Devices. “Security professionals will move from
passive monitoring to managing, analyzing, and responding with
greater precision.”
INDUSTRIES ALREADY MAKING THE SHIFT
AI-powered security is no longer theoretical—it is actively replac-
ing outdated models across multiple industries.
Corporate campuses. AI security units provide autonomous pa-
trols, facial recognition access control, and real-time security alerts.
Retail centers. Automated security towers detect loitering,
1 6 trespassing, and suspicious activity, issuing immediate deterrent
responses.
Construction sites. AI-powered mobile security trailers protect
expensive equipment and materials from theft and vandalism.
Healthcare and critical infrastructure. AI-driven monitoring
solutions safeguard hospitals, data centers, and power plants
from intrusions.
These advancements are setting a new standard for security,
making traditional models obsolete. Organizations that fail to
adapt to AI-driven security solutions will face increased costs,
higher risks, and competitive disadvantages.
THE ROLE OF HUMANS IN AI-POWERED SECURITY
Despite AI’s growing role, security professionals are not being en-
tirely replaced. Instead, their roles are shifting toward oversight,
management and high-level decision-making. AI manages repeti-
tive, mundane security tasks, allowing human staff to focus.
Interpreting AI-generated insights. Security offi cers analyze AI-
driven threat assessments and determine appropriate responses.
Managing AI security systems. Staff oversee AI-monitored fa-
cilities, ensuring compliance and effectiveness.
Providing hands-on intervention. While AI monitors and alerts,
human offi cers intervene in high-stakes security incidents.
McCanna sees this shift as inevitable: “Security leaders need to
make a choice. Stick with failing systems or move forward with AI-
powered monitoring. The ones that choose AI will come out ahead.”
THE SECURITY INDUSTRY’S FUTURE
The integration of AI into security is not a passing trend; it is the
future. Security fi rms and professionals who resist this shift will
fi nd themselves unable to compete with AI-enhanced competitors
offering better coverage at lower costs.
As AI adoption accelerates, companies should have questions.
• Are we prepared to integrate AI into our security operations?
• Are we equipping our workforce with the skills to manage AI-
driven security systems?
• Are we investing in the right technologies to stay ahead of in-
dustry changes?
Those who answer “no” risk falling behind in a rapidly evolv-
ing industry.
The security industry is at an infl ection point. AI is not re-
placing security; it is redefi ning it. Remote Video Monitoring is
the fi rst sector experiencing widespread AI adoption, and other
areas of security are following quickly. Companies that embrace
AI-driven solutions will lead the way, while those that ignore this
shift will struggle to stay relevant. The question is no longer if AI
will take over traditional security roles, but when. And for many,
the answer is now.
Steve Reinharz is the founder and CEO/CTO
of Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD) a
wholly owned subsidiary of Artifi cial Intelligence
Technology Solutions, Inc. (trading ticker
$AITX).
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