Here’s the August 2013 column from our regular think-piece writer Jeff Little, chief executive of the NSI.
Some 15 years ago, the military coined the phrase RMA – the Revolution in Military Affairs. This coincided with asymmetric warfare coming to the fore and the digitisation of the battle-space with improved situational awareness and all of the scientific advantages which that could bring. I think we are seeing a similar event now in the security industry – but not recognising it for what it really is! For simplicity’s sake I have chosen to call this event the Revolution in Security Technology – or RST for short. I really believe that technology is now shifting the balance of power away from the criminal and back towards the wishes of the silent majority who wish to live and work in a safe and secure environment. The components of this revolution are many and varied. Examples include PSIMs, HD cameras and lenses and digital recording devices.
I would mention two more items as worthy of note however. The first is the use of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). One of our auditors told me a year ago that we should start looking at a code of practice for UAVs operating in the security space. At the time I did not take full cognisance of what he was suggesting. I firmly believe that UAVs will cause a huge shift in security capability over the next two to three years. I watched some recent video of badger baiting taken by a UAV being used by the USPCA (Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) as evidence against the perpetrators. The second technology which will come of age is the use of video analytics. I was looking at the Facewatch crime reporting system and thinking what a step forward such a network could deliver if it were widely adopted across a range of sectors. So the RST is well under way. I just hope it represents dark days of winter ahead for the criminal.
