This article explores the multifaceted benefits of radar integration, alongside its practical challenges and solutions that have been devised to tackle them.
Radar integration is emerging as a solid force in the expanding options for perimeter security. By integrating radar with conventional security mechanisms, customers can achieve a formidable defense layer, substantially improving security across large areas.
Asmag.com recently engaged in an insightful discussion with Yaron Zussman, GM of Magos Americas, about the nuances of how radar integration in traditional physical security systems can elevate protection levels and bolster operational efficiency.
This article explores the multifaceted benefits of radar integration, alongside its practical challenges and solutions that have been devised to tackle them. It also explores the pivotal role of AI and machine learning in refining the efficiency of security systems.
Why radar is effective
Incorporating additional sensors significantly revolutionizes perimeter monitoring. The fusion of cameras with non-visible sensors, including radar and LIDAR, generates an enhanced detection layer. This layer proves particularly effective in monitoring extensive perimeters, fundamentally elevating their security efficacy.
“This type of sensor fusion gives organizations with large and challenging perimeters more options,” said Zussman. “In the past, they could not put enough fixed and PTZ cameras in place to protect such a wide area. Now with these different wide-area sensors like ground-based radars, they need less hardware and save significantly on infrastructure and networking costs.”
Employing a blend of visible and non-visible sensors notably curtails the frequency of false and nuisance alarms, a common issue resulting from the inherent limitations of video analytics, such as moving foliage or fluctuating cloud cover. For organizations managing multiple sites from a single security operations center, this technological advancement can drastically reduce the daily count of false alarms, potentially by hundreds.
What are the main challenges
As with the introduction of any new technology, integrators proficient in marketing IP cameras and NVRs must develop a comprehensive understanding of the technology. This includes its functional aspects, optimal use scenarios, and effective exploitation of its detection capabilities to ensure seamless integration and maximal security efficiency.
“When designed and deployed correctly, radars have a high degree of accuracy, in all weather conditions, but proper installation is key in terms of line of sight and reflections from metal objects, height of install, cluster from radio traffic, etc.,” Zussman added. “This is different from the traditional camera and fence installation. Education and training for integrators on how to conduct site surveys and employ digital twin technology is key, along with vendors that offer online design tools and other professional services expertise to assist integrators who are beginning to sell radar solutions.”
Leveraging power of AI and machine learning
Physical security systems are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These technologies aid in data analysis, assisting in the correct identification of possible threats and the reduction of false alarms, hence improving overall security efficiency. The ability of AI and ML for alert filtering and data mining is likely to improve as they evolve, significantly boosting threat classification and detection.
“Radar on its own has limitations in the ability to classify targets,” Zussman said. “In general, radars are very good at detecting any moving target. Fusing this data with AI classification software and video from PTZ cameras is the key to reducing the number of false and nuisance alarms around the perimeter.”
When perimeter detection intelligence from radars is integrated into mission control systems - VMS, PSIM, etc. – there is a new level of situational awareness because operators can trust that alarms are actually alarms. In some cases this has required retraining staff on their approach to handling alarms.
Potential developments in the future
Physical security technologies are evolving at an unprecedented rate. Emerging technologies are continuously advancing and transforming conventional security systems and methods. This rapid innovation is reshaping the environment, necessitating agility and adaptability from security providers in order to remain competitive and maintain the highest level of security.
“We will definitely see an increased use of AI and ML for alarm filtering and data mining, which will make classification even more accurate, further reducing false alarms, and the information generated by the radar systems more valuable to security operations,” Zussman said. “Integrators, particularly smaller companies, should really be getting up to speed on how these technologies will play in real-world scenarios and keeping an eye on what is coming down the pike.”
One other huge area of growth will be radars for drone detection. Most of the existing solutions for drone detection or drone countermeasure are very expensive for organizations that struggle with risks from drones - for example, stadiums that have significant risks from drones many times have limited budgets for these solutions. As radar-based drone detection becomes more affordable, this will be a much more accessible solution for these types of facilities.
Less concern of privacy
Privacy concerns have risen to the forefront of the conversation surrounding physical security systems. As surveillance technology becomes more sophisticated and pervasive, it has become crucial to strike a balance between security and individual privacy rights.
“The beauty of radar is that there are few if any privacy concerns,” Zussman said. “As a non-visible sensor, it does not recognize a specific face or identity, but it accurately classifies the type of object it detects - human, animal, vehicle, boat. Radar and LIDAR technologies will be helpful in the future in protecting individual privacy while increasing security. For example, even today, we see small LIDAR-based solutions being deployed in ATM lobbies to identify loitering without using cameras or visible sensors.”
Conclusion
The incorporation of radar technology into conventional physical security systems is an innovative strategy that considerably improves perimeter security. Despite the implementation challenges, the benefits are evident, particularly when coupled with AI and machine learning advancements.
As the security landscape continues to swiftly evolve, professionals must adapt to these new developments. Equally important is the delicate equilibrium between enhanced security measures and individual privacy rights. Innovation is inevitable in physical security to assure safety and security while preserving privacy. Radar may prove to be the right tool for this.