Security Technologies for the Cannabis Industry: 2022

Today’s security trends are all about multi-faceted technologies that do more than just increase safety. As the lines between digital, cyber, and physical security blur, technologies evolve to meet the needs of all three. Cannabis businesses looking to adopt 2022’s top security trends will find that each increases security while also improving operations and efficiency.

Remote Accessibility

The ability to remotely access security solutions empowers cannabis businesses to increase efficiency and quickly react to emerging threats. This particular security trend is driven by the widespread adoption of cloud technologies and advancements in cybersecurity. Modern access control systems can now be managed offsite via a mobile app or browser-based platform. Business managers and security professionals can remotely lockdown facilities, instantly grant or revoke access, and immediately unlock secure doors in the case of an emergency. Similarly, modern alarm systems allow for remote arming and disarming of the system, even offering wireless panic buttons.

Video surveillance and associated video management platforms have also advanced to include real-time streaming to anywhere with an internet connection. This is an important feature for many cannabis businesses which are required by law to provide remote monitoring access to their facilities so law enforcement can monitor the business via live feeds.

Internet-connected smart safes are also growing in popularity in the cannabis industry. These safes can communicate remotely with financial institutions to confirm funds are on-site and the institution, in turn, issues the funds to the business as a provisional credit.

Solutions for Preventing False Alarms

In addition to the already listed advancements in video surveillance, surveillance technology has further evolved to prevent crimes before they occur. Proactive video monitoring (PVM) software, such as Netwatch, makes use of powerful analytics to detect unauthorized activity and deescalate incidents in-progress. While analytics can also detect unauthorized activity, PVM is capable of detecting and verifying the event by alerting a human intervention specialist who can then determine if the activity is an active security threat or a false alarm. If an active threat is confirmed, the intervention specialist can speak directly to the intruder via a live audio warning and initiate a proper, policy-based response.

LiDAR-based security systems are also growing in popularity thanks to their ability to reduce false alarms. LiDAR sensors use 3D object detection and tracking to classify trigger-based events. Such spatial awareness cannot be captured by cameras alone, and these sensors perform in a variety of weather and lighting conditions with 360-degree views. Their ability to prevent false alarms for zone monitoring, intrusion detection, and perimeter surveillance saves businesses both time and money.

AI and Cybersecurity

For the second year in a row, the Security Industry Association’s (SIA) Security Megatrends reportfound that artificial intelligence (AI) was again the top trend shaping the security industry today. AI has countless applications from remote guarding, to video analytics, data gathering, and beyond. Not only do these applications deliver advanced security and improved efficiency, but also provide valuable business intelligence that can be used to guide smarter business decisions.

Given the above security trends, it is important to note they all would be nothing and nowhere without the parallel rise of cybersecurity.

These security trends would not have become as popular as they are now if not for the increasing risks of cyberattacks. Cyberattacks are becoming more intelligent and frequent, and now more than ever, protecting business networks and data is just as important as protecting physical assets. Ensuring there are both physical and cyber protections in place to secure data storage is likely a security trend that will last well into the future.

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Tony Gallo and the team at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group are knowledgable about emerging security technologies in the cannabis industry. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with cannabis industry updates!