Deploying AI’s Power in Remote Guarding: What You Need to Know
This article examines how Securitas is deploying AI functions to streamline remote guarding operations. It will focus on how AI helps staff filter thousands of false alarms and reduce wasted work time, while also exploring opportunities for AI to further automate processes and distinguish security threats.
Across enterprises and industries, artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise. IBM’s most recent Global AI Adoption Index reports that 42% of IT professionals at large organizations worldwide say they have actively deployed AI. An additional 40% are actively exploring use cases. These use cases include deploying this technology throughout security operations.
AI is already driving optimization and growth within the security industry. Reports show the market size for AI in the security industry has surpassed $25 billion and is projected to reach $60 billion by 2029. Integrators are now infusing security products and services with AI-enabled capabilities to take full advantage of this innovative technology.
Remote guarding presents an especially promising AI integration point. Traditional guarding services like perimeter protection, alarm verification, and patrolling have been undergoing a digital transformation in recent years. Advanced AI solutions can supercharge the evolution of remote guarding and its protective capabilities. By intelligently automating manual tasks and transforming massive data streams into actionable intelligence, AI-enabled remote guarding can usher in a convergence of technology and human expertise to support smarter, more responsive security programs.
AI-driven remote guarding: better results with better costs
Current remote guarding services deploy advanced technology to help personnel fulfill security services. For example, companies have installed security technology products like smart cameras with onboard video analytics to monitor and protect their locations. Paired with monitoring technology like motion sensors, an integrated security setup helps remote guards effectively execute their roles.
AI adds a vital level of intelligence to today’s remote guarding programs. For instance, motion sensors might trigger when there’s movement in a parking lot. Cameras will capture the incident and alert a remote guard to review the footage. That “incident” could be anything — a loose piece of trash blowing through, or an animal scurrying across. Yet, without technology capable of screening that activity, a human guard must verify the alarm manually.
While resolving a single incident at one location may seem trivial, scaling up to dozens or hundreds of locations can cause alarm notifications can quickly balloon. True alarms get buried under endless notifications — hours or even days could pass before a human guard can verify a genuine threat. Plus, this configuration consumes significant remote guarding resources on lower-level tasks, costing everyone more time and money.
Specialized AI models trained on security-focused data and use cases can autonomously determine an alarm’s source — like a plastic bag or opossum — and screen out these false alarms at scale. Advanced models can also help interpret footage in-context for threat verification. For example, it can differentiate between a person waiting at the corner bus stop versus loitering outside a guarded location.
Human remote guards can step into any part of this process to help ensure true alarms are caught and managed appropriately. Freed from the heavily manual footage review process, remote guards can direct their human intelligence toward higher-level tasks like mitigating genuine threats and guiding clients to timely and safe resolutions.
Through H1 2024, AI-powered false alarm detection services managed by Securitas have reduced the number of false alarms elevated to remote guards by 59%. Thanks to AI’s ability to iterate through video footage and verify alarms, Securitas remote guards have saved 930 hours of work — and have saved clients more than $30k.
What’s in store with an AI-driven remote guarding future?
AI is improving the basic yet vital functions of guarding, like real-time threat detection, false alarm reduction, and situational awareness. These changes have transformed remote guarding programs into advanced analytical engines that amplify the benefits delivered to clients.
For example, remote guarding operations generate significant quantities of data stored in multiple formats, like cameras capturing video and audio of monitored locations. Future operations will rely on intelligent management and analysis of many data streams, transforming scattered data into focused insights while supporting human guards in delivering high-quality, fast, effective client services.
High-quality data forms AI’s backbone, positioning it to augment operations beyond false alarm mitigation. Imagine a future where AI-driven drones carry out automated patrols, saving time and improving efficiency. Data from drones and other integrated products enter a personalized client database, where AI crunches information and delivers insights via automated reports. Atop the client-guard interaction, an AI-powered quality assurance system monitors and guides human guards toward delivering exceptional customer service and support.
These developments enhance the existing groundwork AI has laid so far. As the future unfolds, organizations can expect integrated intelligent systems to deliver even more effective security outcomes while empowering security professionals to accomplish more.
Securitas’ AI-empowered remote guarding delivers smarter security
Today’s union between remote guarding services and AI helps clients make smarter decisions on their security programs, needs, and budgets. Clients are realizing significant effects already thanks to AI-driven real-time threat detection and false alarm reduction. Human guards, empowered to look beyond mundane, low-level tasks, can deliver exceptional service while maintaining peak efficiency and safety.
As AI develops, remote guards can expect even stronger capabilities to respond to and deter risks. The data generated by their programs will drive improvements in client security. With the power of AI, better guarding and more capable guards promise a safer and more secure environment for everyone.
How can integrating AI into remote guarding better protect your business? See AI-enabled remote guarding services in action.
###
