Futuristic Ways Businesses Are Using Tech For Security

For any business to stay secure, they have to keep evolving with the times. Digital technology may have opened up new threats such as hacking and viruses, but it’s also led to the development of new security methods. Some of these security methods seem like they’re straight out of science fiction, but today’s technology has managed to make them possible. Here are just a few examples of the latest tech trends that companies are using to keep their businesses safe.

 

Using drones as security guards

Drones have found many business uses. Roofing repair companies are now using them to safely survey the condition of roofs before climbing up, whilst farmers are using them to monitor crops. Some companies are now realising that they can also make handy security guards. Flying drones are essentially mini-surveillance helicopters that can save the task of having to patrol a property by foot. They can take video footage of any intruders and be used as a deterrence.

Flying drones aren’t the only robots being used for security purposes. Malls have already started using robots such as the KnightScope K5 – a robot that rolls around capturing data and can similarly be used to alert the police. These robots have sensors that prevent them rolling into people and can be remote controlled by a security surveillance officer.

 

Installing smart lighting that doubles up as a camera

Many companies already use motion sensing lighting outside their premises. Such lighting is able to trigger when possible intruders are around, saving energy costs by not having to be constantly on like regular lighting. Security tech companies have now come up with an improved version – smart lighting. Fitted into the bulb is also a security camera, which similarly triggers on when motion is detected. Whilst a regular camera needs to be constantly recording footage, a smart camera only films when there is motion, saving power.

Banks and companies with lots of private data have already started using these smart lights in their premises. Footage is stored on the cloud and can be viewed at any time from any location.

 

Installing smart water pistols that squirt intruders

Motion sensing water pistols have been on the market for a few years, used mostly by gardeners wanting to keep pests out. Some businesses having taking this a step further by using similar devices to squirt intruders with traceable liquids. These liquids cannot be washed off easily (some are only identifiable by UV light), making it easy for the police to track down these criminals afterwards.

There has been talk of creating fences that when climbed trigger these smart pistols to squirt traceable liquid at an intruder. Similarly, there has been talk of fitting these devices onto drones. A flying drone that spots a burglar from above would then be able to spray traceable liquid onto the intruder.

 

 

Verifying visitors with facial recognition

Facial recognition is a form of PCI compliant identity verification that has already found multiple uses around the world. It’s commonly used in many modern airports as an alternative to having manned passport checks. More recently meanwhile, the iPhone X has incorporated this function as a locking mechanism.

Many companies meanwhile have been exploring its use for monitoring visitors into their premises. Facial recognition can be used on entry, only allowing in visitors that the business recognises. Cameras can also be fitted onto computer monitors to lock unwanted users out of PCs. Facial recognition is even being used in the hiring process in many security firms to check that an applicant is who they say they are.

In the future, it’s thought that facial recognition will take on all kinds of new uses. Cameras may even be able to identify intruders by name in the future using facial recognition, helping to scare off burglars by shouting their name at them.

 

Verifying visitors by the sound of their heartbeat

Companies such as Nymi have been working on bracelets that are able to identify a person by the sound of their pulse. It’s been shown that we all have unique heartbeats and these can therefore be used as a new form of unique identity recognition just like fingerprinting scanning and facial recognition. People may be required to wear bracelets when entering secure zones – if their pulse is not recognised the authorities can then be notified.