Smart cities in MENA leverage various technologies to benefit residents, and improve their social, economic, and health outcomes. Unfortunately, these same technologies also make them vulnerable to cyberattacks that can damage their infrastructure and foment chaos among residents. These concerns only add to the numerous physical security risks that are also a serious worry for every smart city.
Fortunately, cities can minimize both their physical and cyber threats with an open video management software (VMS) platform. A system integrator like MVP Tech – Convergint can deploy a customized, “secure by design” VMS for smart cities. This VMS is at the heart of a multi-layered defense environment that’s vital to protect cities and their people from all kinds of physical and cyber threats, now and in future.
VMS: Integrated, Uncompromising Cyber-physical Security for Smart Cities
An open-platform VMS is the most reliable way to minimize both physical and cybersecurity challenges in smart cities. It seamlessly connects physical security systems such as cameras, alarms, sensors, and edge software to create a unified and comprehensive security infrastructure. It also includes numerous features to strengthen a city’s cybersecurity posture, including a tiered system architecture for network separation, certificate-based HTTPS connections, encrypted media data (e.g., video footage), secure remote access, and strict server-side user authentication and authorization.
The VMS provides a single, centralized interface that enables security personnel to keep an eye on every part of the city – and the cyber and physical threats affecting it. Advanced platforms incorporate AI-driven video analytics and real-time alerts that enable personnel to detect suspicious behaviors and act quickly to mitigate identified threats, both in the physical and cybersecurity domains.
Deploying a Future-ready VMS: The Value of Partnering with the right System Integrator
A future-ready VMS platform for smart cities is reliable, preventing costly downtime and data losses. It also allows easy collaboration and information-sharing among a city’s security personnel and other stakeholders.
That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to smart city VMS solutions. Every city has its own cyber-physical security challenges and requirements. And to address these challenges and requirements, an open platform VMS is essential. A VMS with an open architecture can be easily customized with the latest security tools and technologies. Plus, it can be effortlessly adapted and scaled as the city’s physical-cybersecurity needs evolve. And to set up such a VMS, an experienced system integrator partner like MVP Tech – Convergint EMEA plays a crucial role.
The right partner will design, build, and deploy a powerful yet user-friendly VMS platform that incorporates proven technologies and features like real-time alerts, streamlined access control, 24x7x365 video surveillance, and continuous video recording. They will further strengthen the platform with AI analytics and visual dashboards that enable security personnel to analyze activities, detect trends and patterns, and receive real-time warnings of threats. All these features and capabilities help to make smart cities more resilient to a wide range of physical and cybersecurity risks.
Conclusion
A VMS is at the heart of a smart city’s unified, comprehensive cyber-physical security infrastructure. But before designing and implementing a VMS, detailed planning and an analysis of the city’s security needs and threat landscape are required – tasks that can overwhelm city planners and officials. A system integrator partner eliminates the overwhelm and brings the knowledge, expertise, and experience smart cities need to set up and customize a VMS for their unique needs and challenges.
As MENA’s premier system integrator, MVP Tech – Convergint designs and deploys unified security systems and AI-powered VMS for smart cities. Our integrated, customized solutions are designed to proactively protect a city’s facilities, assets, and people from both physical and cyber threats.
Please contact us to know more about our customised offerings for MENA’s smart cities.
