Cloud technology has become a key element of security and surveillance systems. As it continues to grow and evolve, it is crucial for security personnel and decision-makers to understand both the benefits and the implications of incorporating cloud technology into existing or new solutions. For instance, one of the primary advantages of the cloud is the ability to manage system devices across a broad campus, without requiring personnel to be on-site or connected to a local network. However, costs and infrastructure requirements must be considered before moving forward with implementation.
Cloud solutions, when applied under the right conditions, provide unparalleled convenience and advancement. However, system administrators and security leaders need to fully understand the complexity of the available options to effectively implement the technology.
What Options Are Available?
The term “cloud” is commonly used to describe three core functions in a security solution: access, management, and storage. While these aspects provide significant benefits, each comes with unique considerations. Access used to be straightforward and limited, but the cloud opens up new avenues of remote ways to log in to a system. Similarly, management is easier than ever with cloud-based management tools.
Storage is the most complex of the three functions, and it can be managed through either hybrid or direct-to-cloud models. The choice of model depends on the product and infrastructure, and both require a thorough understanding of the solution before deployment.
Hybrid storage often combines on-premises and cloud components, providing both flexibility and redundancy. Direct-to-cloud models eliminate the need for on-site storage but lack redundancy and can raise issues with bandwidth depending on the existing infrastructure, meaning decision-makers must weigh their needs carefully before committing to a particular model.
Related Article: Exploring the Power of Cloud-Based Video Surveillance as a Service
Understanding the infrastructure and support requirements for these solutions is key to successful implementation. The overall benefit of the cloud is convenience, though each of the three major functions offer specific pros—and cons—of their own that all security leaders should be aware of.
Remote Access Management a Key Benefit of Cloud Technology
Cloud-based systems allow access to security solutions through remote means such as mobile applications, dedicated software, or web browsers. While traditional methods like port forwarding are still possible, the cloud provides secure remote access that does not require additional firewall ports, greatly reducing security risks.
One of the biggest advantages of cloud access is the ability to manage systems from anywhere, allowing personnel to monitor security without being on-site. However, this convenience comes with additional costs, as remote connectivity features are often part of a subscription model. There’s also potential latency because data must pass through external servers, which can affect real-time access. But, again, being able to remotely monitor scenes is hugely significant for ensuring security and safety in any environment.
Streamline System Management
In the past, system management required campus personnel being on-site to update firmware, manage software, or troubleshoot issues. However, with cloud-based management tools, system integrators or campus technology staff members can now handle these tasks remotely. This spans the full range of system management, from continuously monitoring device lifecycles to ensuring software is always up to date.
Not all organizations can fully utilize cloud management, however. Internal cybersecurity policies may prevent external cloud connections for security reasons, meaning that devices cannot be managed or maintained externally. In some cases, these restrictions might mean that on-site maintenance is still necessary.
Should We Use the Cloud as Back-up Storage or Go Direct-to-Cloud?
Cloud storage is often the most misunderstood or conflated feature of the three cloud functions, especially in physical security systems. “On-premises storage” could refer to a device’s internal storage, or on-site servers already managed by the organization. This can be a problem, as on the device level, security devices are subject to theft, damage from environmental factors, or internal failures, making cloud storage more than just a backup—it’s a safeguard.
Related Article: How to Secure Multisite Campuses
Because of this, many organizations use cloud storage to provide redundancy or backups for their on-premises systems. In these setups, though, cloud backups are often stored at lower quality to conserve bandwidth. While this redundancy is beneficial, it requires a robust infrastructure to support the constant flow of data between on-site devices and the cloud.
For organizations that opt for direct-to-cloud storage, the process is simpler, but the lack of redundancy means a greater risk if something goes wrong with the network. In many cases, direct-to-cloud services are provided by the device manufacturers themselves, so there’s also less flexibility for customization and less overall control of where the data lives.
Choosing between hybrid and direct-to-cloud storage is a delicate balancing act. This decision becomes even more complex when considering advanced features like edge processing or AI analytics, which are increasingly found in modern security devices to further enhance security and intelligence capabilities.
Find the Right Balance with an Eye on the Future
When it comes time to select a cloud solution, there are a few key factors to keep top of mind:
- Network Infrastructure: The most important consideration is whether your current infrastructure can support the data load that comes with cloud solutions. If the network isn’t fully vetted and optimized, it could create bottlenecks.
- Subscription Models: If the cloud service is subscription-based, it’s essential to know what happens to your data when the subscription ends. Does your organization retain access, or is it locked away?
- Processing Power: While the cloud offloads much of the processing, edge-based processing is becoming more common due to artificial intelligence (AI). AI-enabled security solutions increasingly handle tasks like real-time data analytics at the device level, reducing the amount of data that needs to be transferred to the cloud.
However, AI has further added to cloud adoption challenges, as more and more organizations are looking to perform AI-enabled forensic searches of their security data through web browsers or apps. This shift demands greater processing power at the device level, and it’s already driving a move toward architectures that don’t have servers. In these setups, data is recorded directly on the device and sent straight to the cloud, bypassing traditional servers altogether. It’s critical to determine the unique needs and goals of your organization before choosing how to proceed.
Craft a Future-Ready Cloud Strategy for Security Systems
Cloud technology offers a wealth of opportunities for modern security and surveillance systems, from streamlined access and management to enhanced storage capabilities. However, choosing the right cloud solution requires careful consideration of network infrastructure, internal policies, and the growing role of AI and edge processing in your organization. By understanding these factors and maintaining a forward-thinking approach, organizations can build cloud-based systems that are scalable, efficient, and secure for many years to come.
Vincent Campisano is the Solutions Acceleration Team Lead for Axis Communications.
Note: The views expressed by guest bloggers and contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, Campus Safety.