Technical Hub – Advanced CCTV Security

What is AI CCTV?

AI CCTV cameras are network IP cameras that deliver advanced analytical functions like vehicle detection, face detection, person detection, people counting, traffic counting and license plate recognition (LPR). Advanced video analytics software is built into the camera and recorder, which then enables artificial intelligence functions.

How do networks work

Computer networking refers to interconnected computing devices that can exchange data and share resources with each other. These networked devices use a system of rules, called communications protocols, to transmit information over physical or wireless technologies.

Network cameras

Network Cameras are developed for both enterprise and consumer use. Consumer IP cameras used for home security typically send live video to a companion app on a user’s device. They generally connect to the internet through Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable.^[12] Unlike consumer IP Cameras, Enterprise IP Cameras often offer higher video resolution, video analytics, and are mostly accessed though HTTP and real time streaming protocol (RTSP).

IP cameras used to be more common in businesses rather than in homes, but that is no longer the case. A 2016 survey of 2,000 Americans revealed 20% of them owned home security cameras. This crossover to IP cameras in home use is partly due to the device’s self-installation. IP cameras typically don’t require professional installation saving time for home and business owners. ^[13]

One of the most popular abilities that consumer-level home security cameras have is to view their footage via a mobile app. Many cameras offer features such as a wide-angle lens, low-light or night vision capabilities, and motion detection. Most are developed to send out notifications via an application such as when motion is detected. Video clips can be stored in a local device such as a micro-SD Card or through a cloud service.^[14]

The market size of home security systems reached $4.8 billion in 2018. It had a compound annual growth rate of 22.4% between 2011 and 2018.^[15] People in countries that suffer from high crime rates, particularly robbery and theft, are keen to adopt home security cameras. The US and China have a high implementation rate of residential security cameras.^[16]

IP camera types

Depending on their functionality, IP Cameras are generally classified as fixed, varifocal, or pan–tilt–zoom (PTZ camera). Fixed cameras feature an immobile perspective on the subject, whereas varifocal cameras have the ability to remotely adjust the zoom of the image. In addition, PTZ cameras have the ability to direct the camera assembly in any direction remotely. This can be used to track motion or manually adjust the monitoring area. IP Cameras can be designed for indoor or outdoor use. Outdoor cameras are often rated IP65/IP67 in order to withstand outdoor conditions.

IP Cameras can offer a variety of digital imaging technologies such as multi-sensor cameras, panoramic cameras, and thermal imaging cameras.^[18]

Cloud and local storage

Some camera manufacturers offer cloud subscriptions where users may remotely view and download recent video clips by paying recurring subscription fees. Cloud subscription plans typically come with several days of looping storage, and the videos will be overwritten beyond this duration.^[19]

Some cameras include a micro SD card slot so users can store videos locally. Most IP Cameras can be programmed to overwrite old video once the storage medium is full. Accessing the video on the camera can normally be done via a direct network connection to the device.

https://youtu.be/cNwEVYkx2Kkhttps://youtu.be/Ud8UeNgdaz4

Computer networks and the internet

The internet is actually a network of networks that connects billions of digital devices worldwide. Standard protocols allow communication between these devices. Those protocols include hypertext transfer protocol (the ‘http’ in front of all website addresses). Internet protocol (or IP addresses) are the unique identifying numbers required of every device that accesses the internet. IP addresses are comparable to your mailing address, providing unique location information so that information can be delivered correctly.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Network Service Providers (NSPs) provide the infrastructure that allows the transmission of packets of data or information over the internet. Every bit of information sent over the internet doesn’t go to every device connected to the internet. It’s the combination of protocols and infrastructure that tells information exactly where to go.

How do they work?

Computer networks connect nodes like computers, routers, and switches using cables, fiber optics, or wireless signals. These connections allow devices in a network to communicate and share information and resources.

Networks follow protocols, which define how communications are sent and received. These protocols allow devices to communicate. Each device on a network uses an Internet Protocol or IP address, a string of numbers that uniquely identifies a device and allows other devices to recognize it.

Routers are virtual or physical devices that facilitate communications between different networks. Routers analyze information to determine the best way for data to reach its ultimate destination. Switches connect devices and manage node-to-node communication inside a network, ensuring that bundles of information traveling across the network reach their ultimate destination.

Main types of network architecture

There are two types of network architecture: peer-to-peer (P2P) and client/server. In P2P architecture, two or more computers are connected as “peers,” meaning they have equal power and privileges on the network. A P2P network does not require a central server for coordination. Instead, each computer on the network acts as both a client (a computer that needs to access a service) and a server (a computer that serves the needs of the client accessing a service). Each peer makes some of its resources available to the network, sharing storage, memory, bandwidth, and processing power.

In a client/server network, a central server or group of servers manage resources and deliver services to client devices in the network. The clients in the network communicate with other clients through the server. Unlike the P2P model, clients in a client/server architecture don’t share their resources. This architecture type is sometimes called a tiered model because it’s designed with multiple levels or tiers.

https://youtu.be/y9PG-_ZNbWghttps://youtu.be/v8aYhOxZuNg

Network topology

Network topology refers to how the nodes and links in a network are arranged. A network node is a device that can send, receive, store, or forward data. A network link connects nodes and may be either cabled or wireless links.

Understanding topology types provides the basis for building a successful network. There are a number of topologies but the most common are bus, ring, star, and mesh:

A bus network topology is when every network node is directly connected to a main cable.
In a ring topology, nodes are connected in a loop, so each device has exactly two neighbors. Adjacent pairs are connected directly; non-adjacent pairs are connected indirectly through multiple nodes.
In a star network topology, all nodes are connected to a single, central hub and each node is indirectly connected through that hub.
A mesh topology is defined by overlapping connections between nodes. You can create a full mesh topology, where every node in the network is connected to every other node. You can also create partial mesh topology in which only some nodes are connected to each other and some are connected to the nodes with which they exchange the most data. Full mesh topology can be expensive and time-consuming to execute, which is why it’s often reserved for networks that require high redundancy. Partial mesh provides less redundancy but is more cost effective and simpler to execute.

Security

Computer network security protects the integrity of information contained by a network and controls who access that information. Network security policies balance the need to provide service to users with the need to control access to information.

There are many entry points to a network. These entry points include the hardware and software that comprise the network itself as well as the devices used to access the network, like computers, smartphones, and tablets. Because of these entry points, network security requires using several defense methods. Defenses may include firewalls—devices that monitor network traffic and prevent access to parts of the network based on security rules.

Processes for authenticating users with user IDs and passwords provide another layer of security. Security includes isolating network data so that proprietary or personal information is harder to access than less critical information. Other network security measures include ensuring hardware and software updates and patches are performed regularly, educating network users about their role in security processes, and staying aware of external threats executed by hackers and other malicious actors. Network threats constantly evolve, which makes network security a never-ending process.

The use of public cloud also requires updates to security procedures to ensure continued safety and access. A secure cloud demands a secure underlying network.

Mesh networks

As noted above, a mesh network is a topology type in which the nodes of a computer network connect to as many other nodes as possible. In this topology, nodes cooperate to efficiently route data to its destination. This topology provides greater fault tolerance because if one node fails, there are many other nodes that can transmit data. Mesh networks self-configure and self-organize, searching for the fastest, most reliable path on which to send information.

Type of mesh networks

There are two types of mesh networks—full mesh and partial mesh:

In a full mesh topology, every network node connects to every other network node, providing the highest level of fault tolerance. However, it costs more to execute. In a partial mesh topology, only some nodes connect, typically those that exchange data most frequently.
A wireless mesh network may consist of tens to hundreds of nodes. This type of network connects to users over access points spread across a large area.

https://youtu.be/HFRU01uS9nAhttps://youtu.be/Tnjdk08z3HMhttps://youtu.be/FfvUxw8DHb0https://youtu.be/fQC4v07gs5k

Computer networking solutions

Computer networking solutions help businesses enhance traffic, keep users happy, secure the network, and easily provision services. The best computer networking solution is typically a unique configuration based on your specific business type and needs.

Content delivery networks (CDNs), load balancers, and network security—all mentioned above—are examples of technologies that can help businesses craft optimal computer networking solutions. IBM offers additional networking solutions, including:

https://youtu.be/s_Ntt6eTn94

Load balancers and networks

Load balancers efficiently distribute tasks, workloads, and network traffic across available servers. Think of load balancers like air traffic control at an airport. The load balancer observes all traffic coming into a network and directs it toward the router or server best equipped to manage it. The objectives of load balancing are to avoid resource overload, optimize available resources, improve response times, and maximize throughput.

For a complete overview of load balancers, see Load Balancing: A Complete Guide.

Content delivery networks

A content delivery network (CDN) is a distributed server network that delivers temporarily stored, or cached, copies of website content to users based on the user’s geographic location. A CDN stores this content in distributed locations and serves it to users as a way to reduce the distance between your website visitors and your website server. Having cached content closer to your end users allows you to serve content faster and helps websites better reach a global audience. CDNs protect against traffic surges, reduce latency, decrease bandwidth consumption, accelerate load times, and lessen the impact of hacks and attacks by introducing a layer between the end user and your website infrastructure.

Live-streaming media, on-demand media, gaming companies, application creators, e-commerce sites—as digital consumption increases, more content owners turn to CDNs to better serve content consumers.

The term troubleshooting refers to the process of identifying problems with a network through a rigorous and repeatable process and then solving those problems using testable methods. Troubleshooting is more effective than trying things at random until the network functions because it allows you to target individual network components, testing each for function, and encourages you to document your process. Network troubleshooting is useful for almost anyone, from a computer enthusiast to an aspiring network engineer.

https://youtu.be/_NX99ad2FUAhttps://youtu.be/XjISrRz98Xg

Gateway appliances are devices that give you enhanced control over network traffic, let you accelerate your network’s performance, and give your network a security boost. Manage your physical and virtual networks for routing multiple VLANs, for firewalls, VPN, traffic shaping and more.
Direct Link secures and accelerates data transfer between private infrastructure, multiclouds, and IBM Cloud.
Cloud Internet Services are security and performance capabilities designed to protect public-facing web content and applications before they reach the cloud. Get DDoS protection, global load balancing and a suite of security, reliability and performance capabilities designed to protect public-facing web content and applications before they reach the cloud.

Networking services in IBM Cloud provide you with networking solutions to enhance your traffic, keep your users happy, and easily provision resources as you need them.

https://youtu.be/NaEHwrRHfqkhttps://youtu.be/xOqwxluUCc8https://youtu.be/wjWjGnkb3Cwhttps://youtu.be/GrhHMai2d2Y

Computer network types

As networking needs evolved, so did the computer network types that serve those needs. Here are the most common and widely used computer network types:

LAN (local area network): A LAN connects computers over a relatively short distance, allowing them to share data, files, and resources. For example, a LAN may connect all the computers in an office building, school, or hospital. Typically, LANs are privately owned and managed.
MAN (metropolitan area network): MANs are typically larger than LANs but smaller than WANs. Cities and government entities typically own and manage MANs.
PAN (personal area network): A PAN serves one person. For example, if you have an iPhone and a Mac, it’s very likely you’ve set up a PAN that shares and syncs content—text messages, emails, photos, and more—across both devices.
SAN (storage area network): A SAN is a specialized network that provides access to block-level storage—shared network or cloud storage that, to the user, looks and works like a storage drive that’s physically attached to a computer. (For more information on how a SAN works with block storage, see Block Storage: A Complete Guide.)
CAN (campus area network): A CAN is also known as a corporate area network. A CAN is larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN. CANs serve sites such as colleges, universities, and business campuses.
VPN (virtual private network): A VPN is a secure, point-to-point connection between two network end points (see ‘Nodes’ below). A VPN establishes an encrypted channel that keeps a user’s identity and access credentials, as well as any data transferred, inaccessible to hackers.

Important terms and concepts

The following are some common terms to know when discussing computer networking:

IP address: An IP address is a unique number assigned to every device connected to a network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Each IP address identifies the device’s host network and the location of the device on the host network. When one device sends data to another, the data includes a ‘header’ that includes the IP address of the sending device and the IP address of the destination device.
Nodes: A node is a connection point inside a network that can receive, send, create, or store data. Each node requires you to provide some form of identification to receive access, like an IP address. A few examples of nodes include computers, printers, modems, bridges, and switches. A node is essentially any network device that can recognize, process, and transmit information to any other network node.
Routers: A router is a physical or virtual device that sends information contained in data packets between networks. Routers analyze data within the packets to determine the best way for the information to reach its ultimate destination. Routers forward data packets until they reach their destination node.
Switches: A switch is a device that connects other devices and manages node-to-node communication within a network, ensuring data packets reach their ultimate destination. While a router sends information between networks, a switch sends information between nodes in a single network. When discussing computer networks, ‘switching’ refers to how data is transferred between devices in a network. The three main types of switching are as follows:
- Circuit switching, which establishes a dedicated communication path between nodes in a network. This dedicated path assures the full bandwidth is available during the transmission, meaning no other traffic can travel along that path.
- Packet switching involves breaking down data into independent components called packets which, because of their small size, make fewer demands on the network. The packets travel through the network to their end destination.
- Message switching sends a message in its entirety from the source node, traveling from switch to switch until it reaches its destination node.
Ports: A port identifies a specific connection between network devices. Each port is identified by a number. If you think of an IP address as comparable to the address of a hotel, then ports are the suites or room numbers within that hotel. Computers use port numbers to determine which application, service, or process should receive specific messages.
Network cable types: The most common network cable types are Ethernet twisted pair, coaxial, and fiber optic. The choice of cable type depends on the size of the network, the arrangement of network elements, and the physical distance between devices.

https://youtu.be/FxlqSfORZm4https://youtu.be/98CAjGW0lzkhttps://youtu.be/98CAjGW0lzkhttps://youtu.be/zPFgFvDHbA4

Advanced Installations Tech Support Community

We Believe in sharing knowledge with other technicians to strengthen and support the Community of Technicians we have Experienced Network Technicians and Experienced Audio Video and Computer Technicians.

The Very Best Resources that we find that help other Technicians as well as Educate our Consumer community is what we Do. On our Staff we have experienced Technicians as well as Nationally Certified Electronics Technicians on Staff.

Our Philosophy is to NEVER STOP LEARNING and therefore we have close personal relationships with the Technical Support Staff of all of our Vendors and this alone allows us to tackle any Needs our customers may have That is the power of Having a Technical Support Community.

https://youtu.be/98CAjGW0lzkhttps://youtu.be/cupc6Helc6Yhttps://youtu.be/q7SMM57Dz4Ihttps://youtu.be/aNV4rVLa_schttps://youtu.be/n0UqAXu_GAIhttps://youtu.be/tgJwQA8iFUk

We collaborate with other vendors and present the best training that we can find regardless of the Vendor that it comes from .We Believe it is important to Give back and that means to Support other Technicians and Engineers with the Very best Training Available.

We Support and are supported by the Top Vendors and Distributors in the industry with the end Goal of providing our customers with the very Best of Service .

https://youtu.be/kZOgV0lvja0https://youtu.be/vWZefoGNk5ghttps://youtu.be/ISNTZgiywO8https://youtu.be/5xMcvfn61-E

https://youtu.be/ihN44PjewTshttps://youtu.be/udgpr6F66Z4

What is Deep Learning?

Before we look at the specific camera models from Uniview, let’s expand our definition of deep learning. There’s a good chance you’ve already heard this phrase being tossed around in the world of CCTV, and it’s something that you’ll hear about with increasing frequency in the future. So it’s an important term to understand.

Artificial intelligence is a huge field of study. For our purposes here, we’re really only interested in one subset of artificial intelligence: machine learning. Machine learning is using artificial intelligence to comb through a massive amount of data, to recognize patterns, and to learn from those patterns.

Let’s say we want to teach a security camera how to recognize humans, motor vehicles, and non-motor vehicles. We can do this with machine learning by manually feeding the security camera the data that it needs to know in order to recognize these objects. For instance, we program the camera to to recognize certain features about humans, motor vehicles, and non-motor vehicles. We tell it approximately what sizes and shapes it should be looking for, what speeds these objects should be, what the different components of each object looks like. From this, the machine is able to learn how to differentiate between human movement, vehicle movement, and other types of movement that should be ignored.

But machine learning has its limits. Since it’s dependent upon us fallible humans, there’s only so much data that we can feed into the machines to teach it what it needs to know in order to get a desired output. But what happens if we flip this around? Can we give the machine the desired output and let it figure out all the details itself? Yes we can. This is called–you guessed it–deep learning.

Instead of telling the camera what to look for, deep learning processes involve giving the camera loads of labeled images and letting the camera figure out what it needs to look for. So let’s say we’re trying to teach a security camera to look for people. All we have to do is show the camera thousands upon thousands of images of people. People of all different shapes, sizes, colors, and poses.

When it comes to standard machine learning, there’s only so far we can go by feeding more data into the machines. After a while, it starts to level out. But with deep learning, the more data you feed the machine, the more it learns what to look for, and the more intelligent and efficient it becomes.

What is AI CCTV?

How does it work?

For AI CCTV cameras to work, data is constantly sent to a recorder and processed via an AI layer to make sense of the raw video.

Rule-based AI cameras are manually set up with rules and reference images such as humans in different postures, angles or movements. The AI will then ask itself if anything it observes looks and moves like this. Depending on the rules set, such as ‘no one is allowed in this area at a certain time,’ if the camera observes this, it will send an alert.

Some of these systems are self-learning, like those which use “behavioral analytics” software. With this technology, the AI analyzes normal behavior for the area and gradually builds up a definition of this typical behavior, including the size, speed and color of particular objects. It then normalizes the data, tagging any objects and patterns it observes. When something the AI sees falls outside of this typical behavior, it alerts security professionals.

AI CCTV in public spaces

CCTV cameras have long been used as deterrents for criminal activity or implemented to reduce the fear of crime in both public and private spaces. However, many older CCTV systems only aid in solving a crime after it has happened, which is often too late.

Like typical CCTV cameras, AI CCTV stores information so any incidents can be reviewed. However, AI CCTV can detect and send alerts in real time. This means operators can send out mobile response units to manage a situation as it happens. These systems can also provide object tracking, where a red rectangle will appear on the screen and automatically follow the detected risk.

Some cameras also feature a two-way audio system, so operators can speak to anyone in the area through an app on their mobile or tablet, leaving open the option for operators to talk down a possible intruder and prevent any criminal behavior from happening.

There may also be the option to play pre-recorded audio announcements such as those about social distancing or potential hazards, which can improve public safety and provide further deterrents.

Although a somewhat controversial aspect of video surveillance, facial recognition can be beneficial to identify known suspects of crimes or track vulnerable people who may need police or community intervention. A high-profile example of this occurring is the Capital Gazette newspaper shooting in 2018, when the Maryland police used facial recognition to help correctly identify the suspect. Similarly, some cameras, including those used in public spaces like hospitals and public transport, can also detect whether people are wearing masks or social distancing. These are particularly helpful for monitoring compliance to government rules and analyzing public behavior.

The accuracy of AI surveillance

AI CCTV cameras are significantly more accurate than the more traditional systems, as they leave no room for human error. This substantially reduces the number of false alarms therefore the operating costs of these systems.

A traditional camera’s view of a public space may be obscured by weather such as rain or fog or perhaps shielded by certain physical objects. For the human watching the camera, this can make any possible security risks challenging to discern. However, for the AI CCTV camera, it can look impartially at all the cameras in the area simultaneously and compare them to the many million reference images it processes to detect an intruder or hazard and more efficiently.

Temporary AI CCTV towers are prevalent in private spaces like construction sites, where work is being carried out for a specific amount of time. However, AI CCTV can be implemented further in public areas, such as during events to monitor crowds.

What is next for public space surveillance?

AI CCTV cameras have shown how the security industry is constantly developing with the help of new technologies. Other features found in new CCTV camera systems include thermal cameras, solar-powered cameras and those with features like time-lapse and heat/fire detection.

In something reminiscent of Tom Cruise’s Minority Report, some police forces in the UK have been trialing a system that will predict how likely individuals are to commit a crime so they can stop it before it happens. The system, which is the first of its kind, uses over a terabyte of data from local and national police databases, including records of previously stopped and searched people and their criminal records. The police found nearly 1400 indicators that could be helpful to predict crime. What happens after individuals have been detected is debated, but support from social services has been offered as a potential solution.

Governments and police departments worldwide are constantly on the lookout for new features that will help prevent crime. CCTV is just one way they are hoping to improve safety, especially in public spaces. Along with their self-learning systems, features like object tracking, two-way audio and facial recognition make AI CCTV cameras an advanced and effective video security solution.

Cam Cloud video ebook

Cloud networking ebook

Marriot hotels case study

Securing the Cloud ebook

Click here

Click here

Click here

Click here