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Integrating security with financial operations

The use of security technology for more than security has been mentioned in many articles over the past few years. In fact, this is one of the focus areas for many companies as they look to add value to customers in an era of shrinking security budgets.

In this article, Hi-Tech Security Solutions approached a number of companies to find out what they are doing in this area – making use of security technologies to add business value and gather business intelligence. The impact of business intelligence in the retail market is already well known, but what about in the financial industry?

The people and companies that responded to our request for information are:

• Sasha Bonheim from Axis Communications.

• Andrew Mu from Hikvision.

• Gus Brecher from Cathexis.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: Is the ability to gain operational/business benefits from your security surveillance equipment a reality yet? If so, what is possible?

Bonheim: Yes it most definitely is. Axis, together with our software partners, is able to offer a range of intelligent video applications for our cameras that help banks to enhance operational efficiency.

Sasha Bonheim.

• Footfall behaviour over the course of each day, week, month (staff utilisation).

• Which areas of a bank are used most (floor utilisation).

• Customer demographics: gender, age, etc.

• When queues are more likely to build.

By using advanced analytics, banks can measure peak times of the day and deploy additional staff as necessary to reduce wait times and queue length. The customer experience is improved, while the efficient use of resources is optimised.

Mu: Yes, it has already become a reality. Security has always been a critical component for the banking industry and these financial institutions require top-level surveillance solutions to maintain the security of their assets and customers. Beyond security, banks are also interested in tools that maximise efficiency of their operations, and Hikvision provides AI-based solutions for that.

The intelligent video surveillance technology in our bank security solutions provides clear surveillance footage, and they can also be used to identify potential fraud. For example, deep learning technology built into smart cameras can show if someone was looking over a customer’s shoulder while they used an ATM. Smart cameras can also show sudden movements, which allows banks to identify robberies at ATMs and outside branches, and to intervene to help customers in real time.

Queue detection technology built into surveillance cameras can be used to trigger alerts when lines get too long, prompting branch teams to open new counters or to add new ATMs if space allows. Additionally, people counting can be used to see which areas of the branch are visited most by customers, allowing promotions and information to be displayed more effectively in branches.

Brecher: Yes, we have been adding value in this regard for many years.

Gus Brecher.

• Acquiring marketing information for retail clients regarding foot traffic and movement of people within branches.

• Interfacing with building and plant management systems to manage facility downtime and reduce risk.

• Managing staff time and attendance and the flow of people though facilities.

• Integrating with point-of-sale to reduce shrinkage, and more.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: What does the company offer in this regard and how is it managed?

Bonheim: One of the most common challenges for a banking institution is to manage the lighting conditions at entrances and exits. The difference between the indoor and outdoor lighting make it very difficult to use a single camera to cover both areas. Our cameras incorporate WDR (wide dynamic range) which delivers video with a high level of detail in both light and dark conditions.

This high level of video detail allows for analytics to be more accurate. An example of this would be facial recognition; you would have VIP detection for special customers as well as identifying known perpetrators. One HDTV camera covers the same amount of area as four SD cameras; one stream would save on both bandwidth and storage.

Axis also manufactures a special product range used specifically for ATMs. The installed cameras are highly discreet and allow for surveillance of both the ATM as well as the ATM lobby, giving benefits such as alarm tampering and remote access to live feeds and recorded footage.

Mu: With a centralised management system, HikCentral, devices from different systems can be easily managed, which can integrate the CCTV, alarm and access control systems. Health monitoring helps discern the status of devices and storage in a comprehensive and intuitive way, improving system functionality and maintainability.

In addition, Hikvision offers a complete set of mobile products with a VMS for mobile armoured vehicle security management. Basic security devices, added layers of protection, and intelligent alarm systems for specified situations all integrate to provide banks with a robust armoured vehicle security system.

Brecher: We offer several features, including access control integration, people counting, object classification, licence plate recognition, point-of-sale integration and several others to add value in this regard. As an open platform, we also integrate with features that are available on third-party systems and cameras to add value to the overall solution. For example, we have our own ANPR, but have also integrated ANPR available on the edge from several camera manufacturers.

For more information contact:

• Axis Communications, +27 11 548 6780, [email protected], www.axis.com

• Hikvision South Africa, +27 87 701 8113, [email protected], www.hikvision.com

• Cathexis Africa, +27 31 240 0800, [email protected], www.cathexisvideo.com

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