The security industry experiencing a trend toward digital security systems. These systems are evolving on a base of IP-protocol components. The IP protocol (actually better know as TCP/IP) is the protocol suite of the Internet. As such, it is the basis for nearly all general-purpose digital communications being developed today, including video surveillance systems.

Objectives

IP-based video surveillance is an important, integral part of digital security systems that are used to:

• Deter, detect, and document unwanted events, and enable more timely and effective responses to such events when they occur
• Protect property and assets from theft and vandalism
• Minimize retail shrinkage and theft
• Protect against false claims
• Improve personal safety and security
• Meet health and safety standards
  - OSHA regulations
  - Employee behavior

Driving Factors

The primary reason for the increasing importance of IP-based systems is that IP is becoming a nearly universal standard for communications, Thus, IP-compatibility facilitates the ability of devices to interoperate, and thus function as parts of a system.

This interoperability makes it easier to build integrated digital security systems that provide coverage for the enterprise, with the best image quality, and the intelligent control needed to enhance security and mitigate risk and liability.