Standalone security measures aren’t going to cut it when it comes to safeguarding high-security government facilities and critical infrastructure. Modern threats need modern solutions, and that means being able to respond faster, gather better information, and coordinate between systems and teams. Integrated security solutions deliver that by constructing a multi-layered, connected approach that creates real-time situational awareness and stronger overall protection.
Discover the four essential technologies that form the foundation of effective integrated security solutions and how they help security teams respond more intelligently and effectively to potential threats.
Top 4 Technologies for Integrated Security Solutions
Integrated security is the unification of multiple physical security systems. Integration brings them into a single user interface, making it easier for security personnel to assess and act. Here’s what you need to build it:
Video Surveillance
Modern surveillance cameras do a lot more than record footage. They are intelligent sensors that contribute critical insight into what’s happening throughout a facility. AI-enabled video surveillance systems can detect anomalies, track movement, recognize faces, and even classify threats based on behavior. These systems help teams detect incidents in real-time instead of only reviewing footage after the fact.
When integrated with other security technology, cameras provide even more value. For example, a camera placed at a secure gate can trigger alerts if it detects motion after hours. It can then link the footage with access control data to verify the identity of the person who entered. The analytics built into modern video surveillance systems can help reduce false alarms by distinguishing between a real threat and some harmless activity, such as a gust of wind moving a tumbleweed across the parking lot.
Access Control
Access control systems determine who can enter secure areas, when, and under what circumstances. LENEL and Genetec are two of the most widely used access control systems in high-security environments. Ariel Secure Technologies partners with them regularly and rates them highly for their technology, customer service, and detailed user access policies.
In an integrated security system, access control events can be cross-referenced with video feed and other system information. For example, if a user’s badge is scanned at a server room door, the system can pull live video of the event and check the user’s credentials to validate the access. If something looks off, such as attempted tailgating or trying to access the door at an unusual time, the system can flag the event and trigger an alert.
Access control systems also provide vital audit trails and comply with regulatory frameworks like FICAM, NIST, and ICD guidelines. Connecting access control to a central platform allows teams to manage permissions, review logs, and respond to alerts in a single place.
Intrusion Detection
Intrusion detection systems (IDS) secure the perimeter of secure areas by detecting unauthorized breaches. An IDS can include door contact sensors, glass break detectors, fence-mounted fiber optics, or motion sensors.
When IDS is part of an integrated security solution, triggering these sensors can do more than sound an alarm. They can provide context about what’s happening in real-time. If a vibration sensor detects someone scaling a fence, the system can trigger nearby cameras, log events in the access control system, and alert security staff on their mobile devices.
Modern IDS include AI analytics that help determine the difference between a real threat and a false alarm. This intelligent analysis helps prevent nuisance alarms, minimizes security teams’ response fatigue, and improves their efficiency.
PSIM & VMS Platforms
Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) and Video Management System (VMS) platforms are the central brains that power an integrated security solution. Genetec’s Security Center is a prime example, with a unified platform that combines video, access, intrusion, and analytics in a single view.
These platforms display real-time data on interactive dashboards and help security teams filter data to determine what needs their attention and what’s just noise. With a few clicks, they can prioritize alerts, automate routines, and dig deeper into potential threats.
A good PSIM helps all the integrated technology work together smoothly, even if that tech comes from different manufacturers. Facilities don’t have to rip out and replace old tech to take advantage of integration. Instead, Ariel can install a PSIM that works with their existing systems and plan a more considerate, phased approach to modernizing the security system.
Partnering with Ariel for Smarter Integration
The value of an integrated security solution isn’t collecting more data. It’s what happens when something goes wrong. Integrating and managing this technology from a PSIM or VMS can give security teams better situational awareness to make smarter decisions faster.
Remove the guesswork and reduce the risk with Ariel Secure Technologies. We help federal and high-security clients manage security system integration, selecting the right tech and ensuring everything works together seamlessly. We can help you upgrade a legacy system, start from scratch, or work with what you currently have to build a security solution that meets compliance requirements and adapts as threats evolve.
If you are ready to build a smarter integrated security solution, contact Ariel today. Ask for a security tech assessment or explore our integration services.