July 2008 e-Connection

If you’ve ever witnessed a demonstration of video analytics, I am sure it was easy to recognize the benefits of this sophisticated technology. Video analytics applications sort through massive amounts of video data from any number of security cameras and identify the critical events and behaviors of interest. By extending the resources of existing security personnel, video analytics prevent information overload and deliver the actionable intelligence required to eliminate threats before they escalate. The effectiveness and cost of video analytics applications, however, are often determined by their location within the security network.

Until recently, video analytics relied on the processor inside the recording system to perform analysis. Most high-end cameras transport compressed media (eg MPEG-4 or MJPEG) which needs to be decompressed before conducting analysis. This decompression is expensive and does not scale easily to support video from multiple cameras. Vendors have begun to offer solutions that place video analytics technology at the “network edge”, where video is captured. “Intelligent edge devices”, as they are commonly referred to in the Security Industry, dramatically reduce video transport and storage requirements because video data does not have to be sent to centralized servers for analysis.
The analysis is done right there, at the edge of the network, allowing for efficient
bandwidth management and network optimization. The storage and bandwidth savings make intelligent edge devices affordable and practical on virtually every camera in an enterprise. When compared to the alternative of running video analysis on the recording systems, which requires multiple servers, intelligent edge devices reduce the cost of maintenance and overall cost of ownership. Additionally, when video is analyzed at the point of capture, before the compression stage, it increases the accuracy of the data. This reduces the likelihood of false positives and allows security personnel to focus on only the most legitimate and pressing threats.

Embedding video analytics technology into devices, including IP cameras and wireline/wireless video encoders, dramatically reduces bandwidth and storage costs and ensures accurate results for a more effective response.

Intelligent edge devices can be equipped with a host of highly effective video analytics applications that facilitate a more proactive approach to security, especially within environ-ments with wide-area unmanned perimeters. These powerful analytics devices are capable of differentiating between people, vehicles and inanimate objects while establishing appropriate parameters of movement within sensitive locations and during specific times as defined by security policies.

One such application is perimeter intrusion detection, which enables a user to establish “virtual perimeters” around sensitive objects or areas of an organization. Virtual perimeters are a series of user-defined tripwires or intangible boundaries within a camera’s view that are set via a point-and-click device. When a virtual boundary is crossed, an alert is generated and distributed to personnel according to rules defined by the organization. Intelligent edge devices can also detect tailgating; a person or vehicle trying to gain unauthorized access to a facility by following authorized personnel through a controlled access-way. This application automatically detects when more than one person or vehicle has passed, even under the cover of darkness. And by integrating seamlessly with existing access control systems, when a tripwire is crossed or tailgating is detected, access control measures can automatically respond to prevent a breach.

Along with movement and boundaries, video analytics applications are capable of detecting loitering; people, objects or vehicles that remain in or near sensitive areas in excess of a certain length of time. This application is often the first line of defense in proactively protecting against terrorism, theft and enhancing public security.

Since intelligent edge devices analyze video data in real-time, critical information is immediately sent to the appropriate parties, dramatically decreasing response time. Intelli-gent edge devices are often integrated with a variety of other security solutions including access control devices, chemical sensors and multiple alarm systems. This level of integration provides actionable intelligence for sophisticated forensic analysis and un-precedented real-time awareness. All events can be viewed quickly as they unfold and appropriate action can be triggered. Intelligent edge devices provide simplified administration, powerful notification and response capabilities and lower cost of ownership.

When considering an investment in intelligent edge devices, buy from a provider that offers a comprehensive end-to-end IP-video management and analysis solution. The key components of such a solution include a robust video management platform, integrated analytics, intelligent edge devices and embedded DVRs. It’s essential that the solution is built on an open, IT-friendly architecture. This allows for seamless integration with the IT infrastructure, cost-effective management, operation and maximum scalability when upgrades and additions are required.

Simply put, video analytics at the “network edge” provides greater situational awareness, simplified administration and lower ownership cost. Integrated edge analytics transform video into actionable intelligence—the right information, to the right people at the right time—for more effective security initiatives.

By Mariann McDonagh, Senior VP of Global Marketing, Verint

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