Security has always been essential to organizations, and with the increase in cyber-attacks, robust, comprehensive, scalable security systems are more critical than ever. Millions of organizations have implemented integrated physical security systems, including IP-based access control systems, surveillance cameras, and alarms.
The integration gives operators control, situational awareness, and the flexibility to protect their company. However, integrated systems can be difficult and time-consuming to maintain, primarily because they often consist of solutions from different sources. With that in mind, many organizations are transitioning to integrated systems that streamline operations and ensure maximum protection.
Unified Systems Speed Response Time
During after-event investigations, integrated systems require security personnel to switch back and forth between multiple systems to locate the incident. Then, they must correlate time stamps to align the data. If systems are out of sync, the job can become challenging.
In contrast, searching for an incident using a unified system is simpler and faster. The video, access control, communication, and sensor data can be found together, and the platform’s data is bookmarked in time. That makes it easy for personnel to locate and examine evidence relevant to an investigation.
Users Work from a Single Interface
A unified security system has one interface with which system administrators and operators work. In comparison, operators using an integrated system constantly toggle between different solutions to access data. That increases the chance of operator error, making them more likely to miss critical events. A single, unified interface reduces the chance of the problem occurring.
Minimizes False Alarms
Despite all the industry advances, false alarms are a significant problem for security system users. Because unified systems share a common back-end interface and are integrated at a deep level, systems more accurately filter alarms. As a result, it’s easier for operators to determine notification levels and priorities and whether issues should be escalated.
Less Training Is Required
Businesses must invest substantial time and money in training personnel on an integrated system of multiple solutions, often from different companies. A unified system includes fewer solutions that operators need to learn. As a result, it is easier for staff members to concentrate their efforts and become proficient in a system.
Improved Business Intelligence Insight
A unified system’s operators have a single interface that lets them view data from various systems. That’s a bonus from a business intelligence perspective. It is easy for personnel to compare patterns across several solutions, providing valuable insight. The results can be shared with stakeholders across the organization. Because the system makes connections and presents results in a readable form, analytics transform data into actionable intelligence.
Lower Cost of Ownership
When organizations transition to a unified system, they no longer pay for various systems separately. The single point of contact means issues can be resolved faster. No time is lost attempting to determine which vendor must act. The combined benefits of a unified system can help reduce customers’ ownership costs.
Integrated security systems can protect businesses but are also complex since they often consist of multiple solutions from different manufacturers. With that in mind, many companies are now transitioning to unified security systems with a single interface. A unified system can provide valuable business insights, and systems reduce the number of false alarms. It is also easier for personnel to learn the system, and increased efficiency helps companies reduce ownership costs.