AI and Cloud : Dual Forces Driving a New Wave of Business Video Surveillance
How cloud video surveillance can help businesses remain agile, fully optimized, secure, and primed for success in the ever-evolving digital era
By Dean Drako
The way businesses use video surveillance is undergoing a high-octane transformation fueled by the powerful combination of AI and cloud computing. These technologies work together to transcend traditional video management systems (VMS), ushering in a new era of AI-driven security and optimization.
By leveraging the cloud’s immense capabilities to analyze vast amounts of video data, businesses can unlock new levels of safety, security, and operational efficiency. AI is a central force in this transformation empowering companies to convert valuable insights into action, redefining the way we safeguard our world and paving the way for a more secure future.
AI’s quantum leap for video surveillance
For decades, businesses have used traditional video management systems (VMS) to manage security cameras and surveillance footage. However, the emergence of AI technology in the cloud is revolutionizing video surveillance, and will eventually render the traditional VMS all but obsolete.
Eventually, the traditional VMS will be replaced by an AI Security System capable of continuously monitoring all cameras and promptly alerting a business owner when there’s a noteworthy event, issue, or emergency.
For example, this system can alert you to:
- Spills on the floor that could cause customers to slip and fall
- People entering restricted areas
- Suspicious behavior or possible shoplifting attempts
- Emergencies such as fires or accidents
- Unauthorized access to sensitive areas
- Equipment malfunctions or operational hazards
These AI-powered alerts help organizations respond quickly and prevent potential harm, loss, or accidents in your business, reducing the time from incident to prompt action and necessary assistance in any situation.
As AI Security Systems become the norm, business owners will spend a lot less time managing security cameras and have more time to focus on improving their business.
AI ROI: business and operational efficiency
An emerging trend is the use of smart video surveillance for business optimization. For example, retailers and multi-location businesses can leverage AI to manage checkout lines and the allocation of staff and other resources. Fleet management and workplace safety also benefit from AI-enhanced video surveillance, allowing businesses to monitor vehicle movements and enforce safety protocols.
Cloud + AI shoulders the IT management burden, accelerating innovation
The transition to cloud-based smart video surveillance solutions with AI capabilities has major benefits for the IT teams, significantly reducing their management burden. Traditional, non-cloud solutions necessitate an IT team to oversee video surveillance infrastructure and manage cybersecurity concerns. This reliance on in-house IT professionals is expensive, and can pose a risk to businesses if a key IT team member departs, leaving a knowledge gap that jeopardizes the entire system.
Cloud-based solutions mitigate these risks by entrusting software management responsibilities to the cloud provider, ensuring seamless operation and continuous support. This approach enables businesses to focus on strategic growth and innovation while leaving the technical intricacies to dedicated experts. As a result, organizations can achieve greater agility and resilience to weather organizational changes.
As AI technology evolves, it consumes more compute power, especially for tasks like deep learning. Adjusting the amount of storage is easy in a cloud system. In addition, cloud systems automatically update with the newest AI features, and cybersecurity patches. This way, businesses are ensured to always have the best AI without having to worry about fixing hardware or manually updating software.
The much-anticipated cloud + AI transformation has finally arrived, reshaping the landscape of video surveillance for businesses across the globe. By combining the power of cloud technology and artificial intelligence, organizations can unlock unprecedented levels of optimization and efficiency.
This innovative approach not only keeps businesses up-to-date with the latest advancements, it enables them to allocate valuable IT and other business resources to more strategic initiatives. With the ability to harness real-time insights and proactive alerts, businesses can stay one step ahead in addressing potential security risks, operational inefficiencies, and ensuring customer satisfaction. The bottom line is clear: Embracing AI-powered cloud video surveillance empowers businesses to remain agile, fully optimized, secure, and primed for success in the ever-evolving digital era.
Dean Drako, Founder, President, & CEO
Dean Drako is founder and CEO of leading cloud video surveillance and AI analytics provider, Eagle Eye Networks, which has ranked four times on the “Deloitte Technology Fast 500” list spotlighting the fastest growing technology companies in North America. Drako is also chairman of Brivo, a cloud access control company, and founder and CEO of Drako Motors, where he recently launched Drako Dragon, a 200+MPH 2,000 HP, all-electric hyper-luxury SUV. He is Chairman of Cobalt AI, a leader in enterprise security automation, and was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Gulf South in 2024.
Previously, Drako was founder, president, and CEO of Barracuda Networks, where he created the IT security industry’s first spam filter appliance and then grew the company to more than 140 products and 150,000 customers from its inception in 2003 through 2012. Barracuda went public on the NYSE. With 25-plus years of experience building profitable, high-growth, high-recurring revenue technology companies, Drako was named one of Goldman Sachs “100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2014.”
Drako received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at University of Michigan, and his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley.