How to optimize data for smart city security environments

Today, over half of the world’s population lives in cities. According to the World Bank, this trend is expected to keep growing. By 2050, 7 in 10 people will live in urban centers. 

From basic services and infrastructure to public safety initiatives, city officials are considering how they can meet the needs of expanding populations and put plans in place to speed up smart city initiatives.

Physical security devices and systems play an important role in creating smart cities. However, as cities grow and their technology footprint expands, a bigger question presents itself: how can cities better track, secure, and optimize the data they’re collecting? Here are five strategies that can lead to greater success.

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Broaden IIoT and data collection

Within urban centers, the industrial internet of things (IIoT) has been transformative to develop smarter operations. This is why adopting an API-centric, open approach is critical for cities.

Flexible, open architecture physical security platforms ensure smart cities can add all the newest technology to modernize public safety initiatives, as well as sensors related to traffic, lighting, water usage, garbage collection, and more. Leaders can then analyze overall operations and automate processes with the insights gathered from different data sources, in a single pane of glass.

Connecting video surveillance data with other sensors could inform operations teams when garbage bins are full or when city street lights are malfunctioning. City officials can also retrieve historical traffic data to inform roadway and infrastructure improvements. Ultimately, this helps maximize returns across all tech investments within the city.

Strengthen cybersecurity and privacy

As the use of technology grows across cities, so does the need to keep data secured and privacy protected. Cities understand that there’s tremendous value in collecting data. But as threats evolve and privacy concerns rise, they need tools that can help enhance risk mitigation and build community safety and trust. 

Priorities should also include securing hardware at the edge. In such an interconnected environment, edge-based devices can often become vulnerable points of entry for cyberattacks.

How can cities strengthen cybersecurity and privacy? Choosing a public safety and security platform with layers of built-in defenses is a good start. This gives smart cities access to more comprehensive protection such as end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and authorization.

A platform engineered with cybersecurity and privacy in mind can reinforce city security even further. Additional hardening tools, privacy measures, and health monitoring dashboards are readily available.

Some of these tools include the ability to mask individual identities in live or recorded video, receive notifications when device passwords need changing, and quickly handle firmware or software updates to get the latest fixes and features.

Expand automation with video analytics

Artificial intelligence (AI) has already had a large impact on the technological world we live in today. An important distinction to make for the physical security industry is that unsupervised, generative AI models aren’t yet feasible and still pose a lot of risks.

Instead, machine learning and deep learning algorithms can be useful to cities today. They can help detect patterns and classify data. Humans always stay in control, making decisions based on the information provided.

Implementing automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology can generate loads of useful information. Smart city workers can use ALPR technology to track roadway usage, detect wanted vehicles, or better manage parking. Other analytics technologies such as forensic search tools can help law enforcement quickly scrub video recordings to find specific vehicles or events by using specific descriptors and setting time parameters.

Build stronger community partnerships

Physical security systems are widespread within a smart city. And the devices and systems don’t always belong to the city themselves. Many organizations and residents use video surveillance for added protection. Being able to quickly access that video and information when needed can transform how a city responds to crime.

Implementing technologies that support stronger community partnerships can make all the difference. These can include cloud-based digital evidence management systems (DEMS). Not only will a DEMS allow law enforcement to securely share case files with attorneys, but they can also launch community programs for easier evidence collection from organizations and residents.

 

With this type of program, police safety officers can use the DEMS to request through email, specifying the dates and times of the recordings they need. Participants can then upload the video within a secure web application, and officers will be notified. All of this broadens the reach of data across a city and simplifies the collection of evidence, so officers can close cases faster.

Support in-field data sharing

Bringing systems and data under one unified platform can catalyze productivity within a city. Whether it’s responding to an emergency or uncovering new trends, a unified view gives operators a clear picture of what’s happening.

But unification isn’t just about bringing technologies together. It’s also about connecting people. And having the capabilities to extend information to responding public safety officers can enhance collaboration and efficiency across all tasks.

This can include implementing mobile and web apps so that first-line responders can quickly access critical information through phones, tablets, or in-vehicle systems before arriving on the scene. It might also involve connecting body wearable devices back to the real-time crime center platform so everyone stays on the same page during incident response.

Using a mobile DEMS app can further support in-field officers who can quickly collect evidence from witness phones or interview recordings, and upload them directly into case files.

Building a successful smart city in a digital environment

How cities collect, secure, and use data can transform their smart city initiatives. But there’s more to consider than data alone.

Learn about the three fundamental success criteria that top cities in the world prioritize when building and evolving their smart city frameworks.