South Africa’s high crime rate makes it essential to protect your home, business, vehicle, and person from criminal threats. Security precautions at work, in your car, and at home have become a necessary expense, but this need has also driven technological innovations.

Let’s look at some of the trends in surveillance and security technology to keep you, your business, and your family safer.

Technology trends in security

We’re seeing some encouraging advances in digital security solutions:
 

• Cybersecurity
  Hacking is a threat not only to your personal, financial, and business data, but also to the digital systems running all your other security measures. Make sure that your security systems are equipped with comprehensive, built-in protections against hacking and other threats to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data.
  
  
• AI and machine learning
  These trends are making security systems more efficient and accurate. Advanced analytics of video and image information can predict and prevent incidents, and AI-powered support can boost security systems that can afford fewer human resources.
  
  
• Advanced video analytics
  Whether powered by AI or not, new generations of video analytics tech enable proactive crime-fighting with capabilities like licence plate recognition, facial recognition, and behavioural analysis. They empower you to preserve evidence if you’re the victim of a crime and enable authorities to take decisive action against security threats.
  
  
• Integration of devices
  The increasing capability to integrate individual security systems via internet-based platforms and cloud computing lets businesses and individuals manage diverse solutions through a single platform. These can include cameras, access controls, and analytics tools, for example. Integration enhances efficiency and cost effectiveness, and gives you a comprehensive overview of security operations.

Surveillance in action

Here’s what you should be thinking about if you’re planning to upgrade your security tech:
 

• Deterrence
  Visible cameras strategically placed around your premises have been shown to deter potential intruders. Criminals are less likely to target homes equipped with surveillance systems, knowing that their activities will be captured on video.
  
  
• Accessibility
  The ability to monitor your home in real time, regardless of your physical location, is a great advantage of updated systems. Whether you’re at work, on holiday, or simply in another room, you can access live video feeds from your cameras using smart devices or computers and take prompt action when necessary.
  
  
• Evidence
  Footage from camera surveillance systems can be crucial legal evidence in criminal cases. High-definition video footage can help police and security identify suspects and prosecute criminals.
  
  
• Comprehensive control
  Your security systems can integrate with other smart devices like motion sensors and doorbell cameras. Combined with digital accessibility, this gives you control over every aspect of your home, vehicle, and business security 24/7.  

However, surveillance cameras and CCTV-based security systems also raise 2 issues that you must consider in your strategy:

• They can create privacy concerns for employees and the public, depending on where you position them.
  
  
• They rely on software and electricity to function, so you need to maintain and upgrade them when necessary, and protect them from load-shedding, power failures, and hacking.

Dashcams and vehicle surveillance

Dashcams have become popular with South African motorists for on-road safety and surveillance.

The advantages of dashcams include:

• Evidence
  Dashcam footage can provide reliable evidence when a reckless driver causes an accident or injures other road users. The footage can also be essential in a criminal or civil court case if you’ve been attacked, robbed, or subjected to extortion on the road. In commercial vehicle fleets, dashcam footage provides another way to train drivers in better driving behaviour.  
  
  
• Deterrence
  Dashboard-mounted cameras are usually visible from outside a car, so they can act as a visual deterrent against theft or assault.
  
  
• Security
  Motorists face many criminal threats on our roads, in parking garages, and even in our driveways – including hijackers, car thieves, violent road rage, smash-and-grab thefts, and renegade taxi drivers intimidating motorists who give people lifts. South Africans may even face criminals posing as traffic officers, or genuine traffic officers, soliciting bribes. Dashcams can be a deterrent to criminals and corrupt officials on the road, and their evidence can be crucial in cases of theft or assault, or when you are subject to false accusations or wrongful arrest.  

Many CCTV and surveillance technology systems are becoming more affordable, depending on how much surveillance technology you need for your home, business, or vehicle. Make sure that the technology you install is upgradable and can integrate with your existing devices and systems.  

Nedbank offers a wide range of tech security products on Avo SuperShop. You can also apply for a personal loan to upgrade your surveillance and security technology.