The growing enthusiasm surrounding all things IoT in recent years has seen a revolution in security products. Traditionally the security industry has approached endpoint security and network security as separate animals. However, these new products have increased the importance of network security, bearing in mind the importance of the products and systems needing protection.
As everything around us gradually becomes connected to the internet, security products should too. Not only to secure connected products but to enhance their capabilities as products. These products can collect useful data and automatically share them with other IoT devices. And because it is network-based, they can be remotely monitored too. The connectivity between them provides end users with a more complete understanding of the situation in various locations, at the same time. There is unlimited potential waiting to be tapped, from revolutionising door entry systems, to data cable security.
IP what?
To this end comes the migration of access control systems to a digital environment enabled for IP and IPsec framework, which can turn any door into a smart/IoT device. With its IoT capacity, a network port driver can be configured to a cloud environment, where access control become part of a hosted system. Confused? IPsec is a framework for a set of protocols. The IPsec is used to protect data flow between a pair of hosts (host-to-host), between a pair of security gateways (network-to-network), or between a security gateway and a host (network-to-host). Its protocol suite secures Internet Protocol (IP) communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet of a communication session.
When discussing security products this model is particularly suitable for environments with many remote ports that require additional security integrated video.
Image: A typical legacy access control system built around a proprietary technology from one single supplier.
In general, an IP-based door controller is less complicated to maintain, offers greater flexibility and scalability and has a total cost of ownership lower than its analogue equivalent. Today, there are tens of millions of network video devices installed around the world, from a wide variety of manufacturers. Thanks to these networking capabilities, deploying video has become feasible in larger areas, making urban surveillance a handy application. Making access control systems based on IP allows the possibility of these being controlled by other systems as it allows distributors, installers and end-users to bundle different components from different manufacturers.
More security
Advanced devices such as speakers and megaphones can be added to improve the use of IP cameras and networked door controllers. As an IoT device, a loudspeaker may for example be triggered automatically by a video motion detection and sensor to play a pre-recorded audio message, which may be useful for the prevention of graffiti or other crimes.
When integrated into a video management system, a remote operator can even talk directly with intruders, possibly saving money in policing. Due to the resources offered by IoT and the current open industry standards, it is easy to integrate devices. This is particularly true with the help of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) - a communications protocol for signalling and controlling multimedia communication sessions. The most common applications of SIP are in Internet telephony for voice and video calls, as well as instant messaging, over IP networks. And best of all, with SIP compatible speakers, you can assign them a common telephone number, as with any other VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephony device. As IP-based security solutions are implemented and limitations (existing or not) are eliminated, new additional functionalities will emerge in the security world - countless opportunities to integrate other systems tackling not just intrusion detection but also fire detection.
Image: A schematic view of possible integrations between an access control system and a network video surveillance system and other IP-based third party applications. Not that also management functions can be distributed.
IoT everywhere
Smart thermostats send alerts to homeowners while they are away or on vacation. Baby monitors allow parents to watch over their children while they are still at work. The IoT has certainly grown in the consumer world and is adding to its security, consequently IoT has gradually started to be seen as a security ‘product’ in its own right.
In the security world, the IoT is helping companies managing security systems, intrusion sensors fire alarms, video surveillance, access controls, speakers, and intercoms with video, all of this under a single cohesive platform. This is certainly a good reason to believe that the IoT is increasingly significant to all installers, ignoring it would be foolish. IoT offers the perfect opportunity for all electricians to widen their skills (and profit).
As more IP based security devices inevitably replace the old analogue systems, manufacturers of security products face the ongoing challenge of helping users to integrate the growing wealth of information. Installers are bang in the middle of this transaction selling on the idea and concepts of IoT to their clients.