Physical security on the cloud has become increasingly popular among customers of all verticals in recent years. A recent asmag.com survey suggests that as much as 44 percent of channel players are likely to install cloud-based surveillance solutions for customers in 2021. Improved internet connectivity, better features, and affordability are some of the main drivers of growth.
But the real game-changer in the security industry is not the cloud itself. The interest in the cloud has become so strong that even traditional solution providers are now vying for a market share with new offerings. And although companies that offer pure cloud-based systems have been in the market for quite some time, it is the arrival of hybrid solutions that’s attracting customers.
Benefits of hybrid cloud solutions for physical security
A hybrid cloud solution uses both remote as well as storage on the premise, potentially giving customers the best of both worlds. The major benefits of hybrid cloud solutions can be attributed to the different options that they provide to the customers. Unlike proprietary cloud systems or even open cloud solutions, the customer doesn’t have to limit themselves to strengthen or scale up their security infrastructure.
- More control and flexibility
Hybrid cloud offers the convenience of online management along with the assurance of a local backup. This gives you more control over your footage and flexibility when it comes to scaling up or making changes to premises.
For example, although internet connectivity has improved over the years, there are still many areas where bandwidth is a concern. In some remote areas, uninterrupted connectivity is difficult. In such situations, a hybrid cloud ensures that you don’t lose valuable footage. The system will store footage on-premise and upload it to the cloud whenever possible.
The opposite is also true. If there is a robbery at the premises and the criminals take out the cameras and NVRs, you will be left with no footage on-premise. A hybrid cloud solution will make sure this doesn’t happen because the footage is stored online.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. You can also choose whether you want features like analytics to run on a server or the edge. If you want to add more cameras or storage, you can consider the option of increasing online or offline space.
- Lower cybersecurity concerns
Cybersecurity is one of the biggest issues bothering physical security systems now. Despite security experts warning of the importance of cyber hardening, many surveillance systems remain vulnerable to hackers and malware.
Unfortunately, no system can be made entirely cyber-secure. Some of the largest cloud storage solutions providers offer the best possible protection against cyber-attacks, but even they are susceptible to zero-day vulnerabilities at any point.
What you can do is bifurcate your data between the cloud and on-premise storage to minimize the impact of either location being breached. If the cloud storage is under a cyber-attack, you have storage on-premise. If your local network is attacked, the backup on the cloud will be a blessing.
- More ways to take advantage of analytics
Today’s cloud-based surveillance solution providers allow you to manage data online and use tools like video analytics. This is extremely beneficial to many customers because they don’t have to go through the hassle of installing multiple software on their local network.
However, some video analytic solutions function better on edge. For instance, if you want a license plate recognition solution that can instantly open a gate when detecting a known vehicle, it’s better to run it on edge. If you run an LPR-based access control on the cloud, people may end up waiting longer than necessary.
Hybrid cloud solutions provide the right mix of using analytics on the cloud and the edge. As AI-enabled analytics become more and more necessary for customers, running the software on edge is a more popular choice because of the quicker results they can provide.
- More optimized TCO with VSaaS
The decision on what to store on-premise and what to take to the cloud is up to the customer. Some prefer to have a complete backup online. Others may choose to divide the storage. You can even set up a video analytics solution that stores only specific footage in either of the places.
Regardless of these decisions, the hybrid cloud impacts the total cost of ownership (TCO). A recent study from Micron that estimated the cost of owning a hybrid VSaaS by applying the model to an already existing project at a manufacturing unit found that customers could save as much as $60,000 in three years.
This is because a VSaaS subscription plan would cover the cost of maintenance, equipment decommissioning, and storage and reduce the cost of accessories and deployment of the NVR and CMS. Additionally, 30-32 percent of the total project cost would move to a multi-year subscription fee, which may be classified as OpEx.
How to achieve an efficient hybrid cloud setup
The benefits of hybrid cloud solutions are clear. But not all hybrid cloud configurations will provide you with the best ROI. There are a lot of questions to ask yourself before a project. What is the ideal ratio of dividing the storage space? Which software will you run on-premise and online? What kind of infrastructure will you have on the premises?
An important choice you can make that would further reduce your TCO, improve efficiency, and better protect your premises is using surveillance SD cards on edge. This allows you to avoid the cost of purchasing, installing, and maintaining NVRs.
Benefits of using surveillance SD
David Henderson
Director of Industrial Marketing,
Embedded Business Unit
Micron Technology
Using edge storage with a surveillance SD card also offers more flexibility to allocate storage capacity for different storage retention requirements. Does a particular camera require 60-day retention? Install a higher storage card, and you are good to go. Want to scale up with more cameras? Set them up with edge cards, and they are ready.
The best surveillance SD cards providers also offer the option of running necessary video analytics on edge. This means that customers can get value for their money even without paying for expensive recorders, cables, and even on-premises VMS solutions. This will also ensure there is no downtime because of network issues or problems with the local recording devices.
Speaking to asmag.com on this topic, David Henderson, Director of Industrial Marketing, Embedded Business Unit from Micron Technology, mentioned this is especially relevant because VSaaS solution providers are now looking to utilize AI-equipped, high-resolution cameras. Also, the demand for processing at the Intelligent Edge is on the rise and surveillance-grade microSD makers are able to capitalize on current technological advances.
“NAND technology has been advancing rapidly with 3D vertical stacking and up to four bits per cell design (QLC), enabling us to create ultra-high-density in-camera storage (microSD form factor) solutions in capacities where primary storage can now be completely in the camera,” Henderson said. “This delivers a much lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than most systems in existence today.”
Conclusion
Customers worldwide increasingly find hybrid cloud attractive because of the flexibility and better security it offers. However, you need a high-quality surveillance SD card at the edge to get the most out of a hybrid cloud system.
Surveillance SD can remove the hassles of owning an NVR and all the components that come with it. They also provide unprecedented ease for using advanced analytics solutions that have become a necessity in recent times. With an optimized combination of surveillance SD and cloud storage, customers can rest assured that they get the most return on their investments.