Latin America. In recent years, network security has undergone a drastic change, mainly driven by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. Luis Atiencia, a specialist in the field and a reference for the company Compucima, offers us his views on how these innovations are affecting the industry, transforming security from being considered only as a supervisory instrument into a valuable resource to optimize the production processes of companies.
AI, innovation in the industry
Luis recalls how, starting in 2005, electronic security began to lay the foundations for the application of video intelligence algorithms. In the beginning, security cameras only played a passive surveillance role, but by including artificial intelligence, they became active instruments capable of producing pertinent information. This made it possible, for example, to identify unusual behaviors and generate automatic alerts, generating a universe of opportunities to increase security and improve the company's procedures.
Although many started talking about AI only recently, security companies were already adopting this technology. "I think electronic security was one of the first industries to venture into the use of artificial intelligence," says Atiencia.
Over time, algorithms have been refined and are now used for more complex tasks, such as identifying whether a worker is wearing a helmet or safety vest in a factory.
In addition, Atiencia highlights how the notion of machine learning has made it easier for security systems to "learn" the data they collect. "Ten years ago, there was already talk of banking systems that used machine learning to identify patterns and improve security," he says.
One of the most relevant transformations in the sector is the way in which electronic security has ceased to be considered a merely reactive tool and has begun to be used as a driver for the improvement of production processes. An obvious case of this was a project carried out in Ecuador, in which the implementation of thermal cameras to monitor high voltage lines facilitated the detection of variations in temperature before an event occurred, preventing expenses of millions. "These technologies make it possible for companies to be proactive instead of reactive," says Atiencia.
Regarding cybersecurity, Atiencia admits that it has been an issue that was addressed late compared to other industries. However, in recent years, concerns about data protection have grown significantly. "The electronic security market has had to adapt to cybersecurity, and today it is one of the most important aspects for customers, especially in strategic sectors such as banking and energy," he says.
Modern security systems must meet rigorous cybersecurity standards to ensure that data is not vulnerable to attack.
Luis also emphasizes the importance of automation in the electronic security industry. Since 2009, it has been a pioneer in integrating security systems with building automation, enabling surveillance systems to not only detect intrusions, but also manage and optimize other processes.
"Today, electronic security is progressively merging with broader automation systems, making it possible to increase profitability and safety simultaneously," he says.
This perspective not only boosts efficiency in operations, but also promotes the unification of various technologies on a single platform, which favors companies in terms of productivity and profitability.
Regulatory challenges in electronic security
Despite technological advances, Atiencia mentions that the lack of regulation in countries such as Ecuador represents an additional challenge for companies. "Our main challenge here is to convince customers to invest in quality equipment, beyond complying with the minimum regulatory requirements," he explains. In other countries, regulations are stricter, forcing companies to meet certain standards. However, in less regulated markets, the onus is on companies to promote high-quality solutions and ensure the sustainability of their investments.
