Municipal use of video management systems for viewing camera footage, analyzing incidents and determining the appropriate security response to different types of incidents has become part of a city’s overall approach to its public safety operations. Often these systems are made up of different technologies from many different vendors, all containing valuable information that must be synthesized within the confines of a police command and control center.

This type of connected security approach in a city is typically referred to as safe or smart cities, and means there is a common infrastructure in place that uses sensors and cameras over a shared municipal network. Within this interconnected approach, standards can help to eliminate the need to adhere to a single manufacturer, and open up the realm of possibilities for creating the “safest” city possible.

A multi-discipline physical security standard, such as those offered by ONVIF, can specify parameters for video surveillance, access control and other essential operations of a safe city command center. As standard bodies collaborate even further to establish minimum interoperability standards together, the need for a multi-discipline physical security standard will become more urgent. ONVIF envisions that all security systems will eventually have the same interfaces for interoperability, and is dedicated to facilitating the work of its members in developing such a multi-discipline standard.

Want to learn more about how standards have helped in the implementation of smart cities, and how the freedom of manufacturer choice results in usability and functionality? Read this full article of ONVIF in a safe city application and the approach some members have taken  in this environment.