Interoperability forges a critical connection with Internet of Things devices and peripherals.
By Per Björkdahl and Bob Dolan*
Proprietary systems, closed operating platforms, and integrations that require extensive software reprogramming or modification are finally falling out of favor in the physical security industry. Now, a new horizon is glimpsed based on products connected to the network and IP, with the promise of taking advantage of billions of devices in the near future.
End users are competing for ease of operation and the ability to select and upgrade products without the costly extraction and replacement scenarios, forcing systems isolated to proprietary technologies to be things of the past. Open protocols, standards and compliant products accepted by the industry that focus on unbridled interoperability between manufacturers and suppliers will be critical as advanced technology, such as analytics and ancillary devices, in the realm of physical security and access control.
Smart cities, buildings and spaces
Physical access control by IP is also experiencing increased market interest for innovative new identification technology and door control solutions, such as license plate recognition; iris, fingerprint and facial recognition; mobile credentials/wireless locks; Door interface units and input/output (I/O) cards and relays that enable and control these and other devices.
It is in this current environment that PACS now operate (with functions that are fundamental for risk management and mitigation and focused on interoperability), using open platforms as a fundamental element for continuous integration. A single, unified vision for access control will be the next logical continuation in the movement towards smart cities, spaces and buildings, fostered by standards, common interface protocols and open systems.
ONVIF is an organization whose mission is to facilitate the standardization of interfaces that enable interoperability between IP-based physical security products through the use of Profiles, a fixed set of features that must be supported by a compliant device and client. The application and extension of the ONVIF open platform is the next step in the future of loT functionality, as it continues to advance in the direction of incorporating auxiliary devices, peripherals and exterior technologies from different manufacturers.
Currently, ONVIF's Access Control Profile C and Profile A cover an access control unit (ACU) device and an access control management client, and enable the mixing and blending of access control devices and clients within a system. Newer technologies at the edge require interfaces between these new devices and ACU or access control management software, which are not yet covered by existing A, C, and S profiles.
The next point of study in PACS from ONVIF would allow additional types of products, such as surveillance cameras, gate controllers and other input systems, to do credential identification and interact with various types of management systems from different manufacturers, which will further drive the adoption of ONVIF interfaces in the PAC and video surveillance space.
Biometrics
In the facial recognition example, it shows an existing video camera with facial recognition capability and a relay output port. The use case is a scenario in which a front door to a building has a camera that can read facial biometric data and send the data to a customer, possibly unlocking the door if the customer instructs it to do so. With the new profile interface, the camera can transmit biometric data to the customer where it is authorized. The customer then sends back a signal that access is granted or denied. The interface takes intelligence from the external device and allows communication from the specific access control device to the system. In the future, it may also be possible for combinations of information, data and decision-making from a wide range of devices, not just access control and video.
Smart spaces
The future is smart spaces, with hundreds of different systems, devices, sensors and peripherals working together. Implementations of safe/smart cities and Internet of Things systems are helping to accelerate the acceptance of interoperability over proprietary systems.
Integration is most effective when you create a holistic ecosystem based on a common technology platform that can easily and securely add new devices and peripherals. ONVIF continues to develop its next level of work in this critical area.
Finally, we can speculate on the future, but ONVIF is preparing for it, working to integrate auxiliary systems to access control and video surveillance, and is incorporating new remote technologies and the Internet of Things.
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