A Better Way to Secure Your Business

A better way to secure your business White paper: M2M for business security m2m.vodafone.com Vodafone Power to you What this paper is about Security is an industry in flux. While in many cases the core activities and tools haven’t changed — CCTV for monitoring and alarms for perimeter protection, for instance — technology has evolved rapidly. This is creating new possibilities for securing businesses and their assets against theft, fire and other risks. Machine to machine (M2M) communications in particular has enabled a step change in functionality in three security applications: alarm systems, CCTV and asset tracking. This paper is specifically aimed at manufacturers and distributors of security equipment, but will also be relevant for enterprises with significant or specific in-house security needs. Contents Better security, lower cost ................................................... 3 M2M: connected security ..................................................... 4 End-to-end intelligence ....................................................... 5 Case studies ............................................................................. 6 Making it happen..................................................................... 7 About Vodafone ....................................................................... 7 M2M for business security Better security, lower cost Technology is the key Every year, businesses are the victim of crimes, such as theft, that erode profitability. For instance, theft costs the worldwide retail industry $128 billion in 2013 according the Global Retail Theft Barometer. Thefts occur despite the investment many companies have made in security infrastructure, because many of today’s security systems still have weak spots, such as: • CCTV cameras and alarms can be disabled by cutting their cables. • Remote locations, where it’s impractical to install phone lines to connect cameras and alarms, are prime targets. • Alarms and cameras often go unmonitored — according to Berg Insight, an estimated 75% of Europe’s 30 million alarms are totally unmonitored. • Connected alarm and camera solutions have been prohibitively expensive. Increasing security coverage To stay one step ahead of criminals, organisations and their security providers need to take a new approach. Site security devices like alarms and cameras need to be tamper-resistant and functional even at remote sites. Rather than just being passive observers, devices need to be active, intelligent participants: alerting guards or the emergency services when there’s a security breach. And coverage should extend beyond the perimeter, covering assets and goods in transit. Reducing security costs Increasing security often means increasing costs — and many enterprises have difficulty balancing what risks they can accept with what they can afford. Whether you’re a manufacturer, installer or security customer, it’s in your interests to make security cheaper and easier to deploy and to run. Installing traditional fixed-line connections to cameras and alarms is expensive and takes time, particularly in remote sites; manual monitoring of mobile assets, for example in a global logistics network, is often simply impossible. Nearly 19 million M2M security solutions are predicted to ship in 2018, up from 4.8 million in 2013, according to Berg Insight. 3 M2M: connected security Imagine if security devices could keep you constantly informed about an asset’s status, wherever it is. With M2M, they can. Connected, intelligent security M2M security is connected security. Each camera, alarm or monitored asset is constantly connected to central systems: whether that’s a security provider’s monitoring station or an enterprise’s own tracking systems. Often, that connection is wireless — there’s a SIM in the asset, just like in your smartphone — but M2M devices can also be configured with wired connections or even satellite links. The connectivity may take different forms: • A camera might transmit footage to a national control centre, and send priority alerts when intelligence in the device identifies movement or other unexpected events. • An asset-tracking solution might monitor location and speed, so a central management system can trigger an alarm should a vehicle deviate from its planned route, for example. • An alarm might send occasional status updates, and notify the emergency services directly when a breach occurs. Advanced connectivity, available today All the technology required for M2M in these three applications is already available. Wireless networks have now achieved global coverage, with international SIM roaming providing cost- effective connectivity for M2M devices. The advent of 4G networks means high bandwidth services — such as high definition video — can be delivered wirelessly. At the same time, global wireless standards ensure compatibility for devices, M2M applications and underlying infrastructure. M2M modules are small, can be rugged, and have low power consumption, which means they’re practical to install into alarms and cameras and can operate for extended periods even in hostile conditions without the need for maintenance. M2M platform CCTV camera Track and trace Monitoring devices Access devices Automated or managed monitoring Mobile platforms Ad hoc monitoring Security alarm M2M for business security End-to-end intelligence So what can M2M security do for businesses? Improve security and coverage Using wireless technology, M2M-enabled cameras and alarms can be reliably connected to the emergency services or private monitoring station. Because there aren’t any wires to snip, this connection is much harder to break — and because the device is constantly connected, any interruption can be spotted by central systems immediately. Furthermore, because M2M security devices can be fitted with batteries, or in some cases a solar panel, they don’t need a physical connection to operate, enabling them to be deployed in remote locations, increasing the overall reach of your security net. Reduce theft and shrinkage M2M-enabled asset tracking enables a new kind of security, helping to prevent the theft of valuable mobile assets — such as vehicles, stock and plant — and reduce the risk of shrinkage. ‘Track and trace’ acts as a deterrent to would-be assailants and helps the recovery of stolen goods. Cut installation and management costs Because M2M-enabled security devices often connect to wireless networks, there’s no need for expensive, disruptive and time-consuming drilling or cabling at installation. As well as being rugged and needing minimal routine maintenance, M2M- enabled devices can often report any technical problems before security is compromised: for instance, if a camera’s backup battery is running low, or if an alarm has lost signal from a door sensor. Many M2M security solutions offer a centralised management platform, enabling customers to centrally activate, suspend and deactivate devices with the click of a button. Increase business insight M2M-enabled devices gather and communicate a vast amount of data that can generate real business value beyond the obvious security applications. For example, by processing video from CCTV systems, a business could, as well as maintaining safety, optimise the flow of trucks to and from remote sites such as quarries and landfills. Asset tracking systems take this further: with a live picture of where every truck and shipment is and what it’s doing, an organisation can streamline route planning and driver shift scheduling. Trackers can be fitted that monitor conditions other than just location — such as ambient light or temperature. That gives firms the reassurance that their goods will arrive at their destination in perfect condition. 5 Case studies iDefigo takes remote surveillance global with Vodafone New Zealand’s iDefigo specialises in remote security solutions. Its Mi5 Security solution is a low-power, mobile camera that can be installed in sites that don’t have power. Its cameras protect and monitor sites around the world with always-on surveillance at warehouses, factories, project sites, remote business locations — even rivers. Footage is sent to business owners and directly to the emergency services. While iDefigo started in its home country, its cameras are now in use across the globe. Its customers range from farmers in rural New Zealand to environmental authorities in Europe. Vodafone is providing iDefigo with 25,000 global SIMs to support its global expansion. That means the camera can be installed easily in any region iDefigo’s customers need. And with the advent of 4G, iDefigo can provide high-definition video footage, where needed. “We looked at all the international carrier groups. It was clear Vodafone was our best option,” says Helen Wattie, Group CEO, iDefigo. “Their understanding of the possibilities of M2M are better than anyone’s.” NanoTag Technology makes security tracking smaller and smarter Sydney-based NanoTag Technology is helping clients in the automotive, fashion and pharmaceuticals sector, to fight counterfeiting. It’s latest Black Knight trackers are small enough to be fitted discreetly onto goods, and can be located accurately within a five meter radius in over 200 countries across the globe. NanoTag Technology needed a global partner that could provide worldwide connectivity, using a single SIM. Black Night uses Vodafone’s Global M2M SIM, which makes it easier for clients to deploy the trackers, and cheaper for them to operate. “The Vodafone Global M2M SIM means it connects to satellites and telecommunication companies in over 200 countries without ever having to change to a local SIM card to connect,” says Ian Allen, executive chairman, NanoTag Technology. CSL DualCom expands into Europe CSL DualCom provides SIM-equipped M2M alarms and access control solutions for thousands of commercial and domestic properties across the UK, giving it 25% market share. Because incidents can happen at any time, 24-hour service availability is of absolute importance, and CSL Dualcom has worked with Vodafone for years to provide reliable connectivity for its customers. It decided to expand its business into Europe, and Vodafone was the obvious choice to provide an international M2M solution. Now, CSL DualCom offers alarms across Europe, with Vodafone providing a fixed monthly per-SIM fee regardless of country — helping the company to minimise the complexity of managing international deployments. Vodafone helps support additional features on the CSL DualCom portal. “We’ll have a graphical user interface front-end showing everything from performance to signal strength,” says Simon Banks, CSL DualCom co-founder. “We have some customers with over 700 connected devices and they want to see what’s going on across their estate. Having that visibility is a huge boost to customer satisfaction.” Security alarmsCCTV cameras Track and trace Security alarmsCCTV came s Track and trace Security alarmsCCTV came s Track and trace “When we say 24-hour availability, we mean it. We have to be more ‘on’ at 4am than at 4pm – that’s when burglaries happen. Vodafone gives us that reliability and it’s a solution we can trust.” Simon Banks, co-founder, CSLDualCom M2M for business security Making it happen Processes have to change as well as devices In applications such as surveillance cameras, alarms and asset tracking, M2M offers a clear return on investment for both providers and enterprises. But achieving better security and lower deployment and running costs does require an investment. New cameras and alarms have to be developed and installed that are configured to transmit information to central systems. In many cases those central systems too need creating or modifying. And then there are integration decisions: where do camera images get sent and stored? How do they get monitored? And what business processes are in place to react to alerts received? Changing how security works For security companies, offering M2M-enabled security may be an opportunity for a shift of business model, from providing infrastructure on a product-sale basis to offering a fully managed service. Obviously this will involve changes to everything from your marketing to your billing systems. It’s a big change, but an enormous opportunity. And it can be a real advantage for enterprise customers too that are looking to reduce the capital investment and management overhead of running security. Where do you start? As you approach M2M, look for a provider that will work with you to demonstrate the potential of M2M at a well-equipped M2M testing centre. It should help you scope out your requirements, specify and build an appropriate data connectivity concept, and design a comprehensive solution including: • A global M2M platform, essential for managing connectivity. • Global SIMs, so you can deploy equipment wherever sites and assets need monitoring. • Preconfigured M2M devices for easy integration. • Global footprint, for network connectivity, service and 24x7 support. • Help with application development to speed time to market. To be secure, you need a comprehensive understanding of potential threats. Your M2M solution needs to be equally holistic. Vodafone M2M solutions can help you improve your security at every level. About Vodafone Vodafone is one of the world’s leaders in M2M service delivery. We’ve been working in M2M for over 20 years, and today we provide full support for M2M security solutions, including alarms, CCTV and asset tracking. Our capabilities include: global M2M platform; global M2M-specific SIM cards; a broad portfolio of M2M terminals, application and service enablement development, testing and deployment; network connectivity — all from a single supplier, with a single contract. To find out more about how we support M2M security solutions globally, or how our portfolio of wireless communications solutions can support your business, please contact your Vodafone account manager, email [email protected], or visit m2m.vodafone.com 7 m2m.vodafone.com Vodafone Group 2015. This document is issued by Vodafone in confidence and is not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written permission of Vodafone. Vodafone and the Vodafone logos are trademarks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. The information contained in this publication is correct at time of going to print. 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