Multispectral Cameras & IoT the Future of Business Security?

Site security is a vital concern for any business; keeping your business secure 24/7 prevents many criminal and wasteful events from harming your company and preventing its growth. Fortunately, by choosing the right system, business security has never been more effective. Read on to learn why IoT and our multispectral cameras is the winning combination for upgrading any company’s security system.

What Are Multispectral Cameras?

A multispectral camera is similar to a thermal imaging camera except that rather than capturing a single spectrum of light, thermal infrared (TIR), these multispectral cameras are capable of capturing several different ones, including near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR) and thermal. These are identified as spectral bands, and each one is part of the wider electromagnetic spectrum. We monitor these to reveal data that is invisible to the naked eye, such as thermal heat emitted.

This recorded data is applied to a colour palette for efficient interpretation by a user or programmed software. For example, thermal data often uses true-colour RBG (red, green, and blue) to create an observation palette for each colour gradient that shows high heat as one colour (say, red) and low cold as another (blue) and the changes in between create a sliding scale of intensity.

Benefits of Multispectral Cameras for Security

This broader focus provides significantly more data about the observed area than alternate monitoring tools such as CCTV and thermal security cameras. These cameras will observe and record roughly three to fifteen spectral bands, and each will provide specific data. Still, the most relevant to business security is the emitted heat from people or materials in the area.

These adaptable cameras are powerful tools as they will observe the designated area regardless of the darkness of night or any obscuring weather. The cameras' thermal observation abilities mean they will always register the emitted heat from people or vehicles in the observed area, and they are usually connected to smart software systems that will differentiate between authorised and unauthorised personnel with pre-established parameters. For example, if it's working hours, an alert won't be triggered when a vehicle is observed, but it will if it is out of hours, and a member of security will be notified to address the situation.

How Does IoT Help Security?

IoT (Internet of Things) is a relatively new system that is changing the working economy. It is a highly effective data delivery tool used for an almost unlimited number of applications where computer control needs to be at its most effective.

When combined with our wireless multispectral cameras, IoT transfers large amounts of data continuously from the locations where the static cameras are installed to the intelligent software designed to interpret the data and create alerts once the designated parameters are exceeded.

Implementation Methods

When combined, these two advanced systems significantly support your business's security with wireless, intelligent, and automated monitoring services. Here are some examples of how these partnered systems are implemented for business security.

Smart Access Control systems

Making sure that only authorised people have access to specific areas of your business is important for businesses to reduce the risk of assets being stolen or secure areas being accessed. A simple access control system is a key and a lock, but in recent years, advancements with IoT and connected cameras have developed smart systems that support biometric security and authentication.

This concept also extends to room monitoring, as the camera will supply any observed activity to the intelligent software connected through the IoT system and create automatic alerts to the site manager if the unauthorised activity is detected, such as a break-in.

Asset Tracking and Management

Security measures can be employed at any time of the day with these IoT systems and help create a 24-hour security system. For businesses with a lot of foot traffic on a daily basis, one of these systems is used for real-time monitoring of large areas and access points so the generated data can be audited and analysed to improve operational productivity and overall efficiency.

What is tracked varies depending on the focus of your business, but generally, it's used for asset identification and utilisation. However, this would generally be combined with other systems, such as geofencing, to create a complete picture. The IoT software will combine GPS and RFID data from assets with the captured footage data from the camera to provide visual identification for security staff and record keeping about the way tagged assets are used.

Environmental Monitoring

This application is related to making sure your business is safe and secure from potential environmental threats rather than criminal threats. Remember, multispectral cameras are a proven technology for monitoring the emitted temperature in a location, so they are an excellent tool for monitoring any sparks or flames emerging, growing humidity, and even the emergence of exhaust pollution.

This data is fed to intelligent software remotely through an IoT network, which is often pre-programmed with specific parameters, such as heat. When these parameters are exceeded, alerts are generated. These alerts might be just for managers, similar to the smart access control systems, but for this role, they will often be connected to response equipment such as water cannons to put out fire hazards at combustion piles.

High-Quality Multispectral Cameras from Thermascan

We have a catalogue of the best FLIR cameras, both handhelds and static multispectral units like the popular FH-Series. With the range of products available, we are confident we have a model perfect for your IoT setup that will help you protect your business long-term.

Contact us today, and we will discuss which of our thermal imaging cameras for sale is best for your business's security needs.