The Benefits of an Open Architecture for Cloud Video Surveillance

Each day the surveillance industry delivers new innovations to meet business needs. AI-powered video analytics and cloud video solutions are becoming commonplace elements of smart, modern video security platforms. 

Unfortunately for most businesses, their security systems are deeply ingrained into the fabric of their organization. Ripping and replacing their hardware simply isn’t an option, either due to budget, time, or a combination of both. Even if a company is able to completely replace their system, there’s no guarantee that their new solution will provide a worthwhile return on investment. As well as that, their system could end up getting outpaced in the next three to five years, leaving them back at square one. 

Because these businesses are locked into closed systems which don’t offer them much flexibility or scalability, they lack the ability to easily adopt new solutions. It’s an all-or-nothing approach; if a company does want to upgrade their system, they’ll need to work with a single provider to do so. This limits the ability of the business to test out new security solutions while also working with their previous investments. 

To balance the surveillance industry’s constant innovations with the need for a cost-effective, streamlined, flexible security solution, businesses everywhere can turn to an open platform system for the answer. Selecting an open platform gives organizations more options to expand their system’s capabilities and adapt to their operation’s changing needs over time to receive the best return on their investment. 

The Open Platform Defined 

Simply defined, an open-cloud platform is one that is device agnostic and allows for third-party integrations. 

“An open platform of this type implies that the vendor allows, and perhaps supports, the ability to create new functionality and to use the platform in ways not previously conceived. Using such an open platform, a developer could add features or functionality that the platform vendor had not completed or had not conceived of,” wrote security consultant Ray Bernard. 

However, to better understand the open platform, one must go back to the origins of the model itself and how its advent revolutionized the security world. In 2008, Axis Communications AB, Bosch Security Systems, and Sony Corp. created the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) to provide standards for the global video security industry. This innovation was founded on several main principles, including the “standardization of communication between IP-based physical security products…interoperability regardless of brand and deployment [and] openness to all companies and organizations.” 

Now a staple in the security world, ONVIF reported in 2024 that more than 30,000 IP security products were compliant with its profiles. The organization’s commitment to promote interoperability and adherence to standards has helped pave the way for innovation. According to ONVIF, the benefits of interoperability include a cost-efficient system setup, more proficient workflows, flexibility in design, and component selection alongside a sustainable investment. 

In addition to camera operability, an open platform can enable other types of integrations, including AI video analytics, environmental sensors, intrusion panels, identify management, access control, and business intelligence. Such integrations add to the effectiveness of a video surveillance system and enable organizations to increase efficiency and make data-driven decisions for their business. 

The benefits of the open platform are gaining popularity year by year. IFSEC Global’s 2023 Video Surveillance Report stated that at least 40% of surveyed sectors viewed open/common standards as important in the purchasing of video surveillance devices, with some surveyed industries as high as 70%. 

Open Platform vs Closed Systems 

While previously a business might need to be locked into a single company’s security offerings via a closed system, it’s clear that isn’t the norm anymore. In fact, as more of the video surveillance industry becomes platform-based, the open platform is also becoming increasingly more common. 

Managing Director of TDSi John Davies explains why businesses used to opt for a closed system despite the apparent advantages of an open platform. He says, “Interestingly there are plenty of ‘buyer beware’ messages out there in the marketplace regarding locked-in systems, but some buyers…choose them despite the fact they may not be best-of-breed or capable across all the silos of the security spectrum.” 

An open platform enables a business to choose the most advanced technologies from various providers. Managing a surveillance system on an open platform also allows a business to evolve its solution as new technologies are introduced. 

On the other hand, buying a security solution from one technology vendor means relying on them for all elements even if they don’t excel at one, whether that’s video, access control, or intrusion.

“For some security customers, buying all your security systems from one supplier ensures it all works together seamlessly and there is one point of contact should problems arise,” says John Davies. “For some buyers that are time-poor or technically less well-versed, this may be an advantage.” 

However, as Davies goes on to clarify, this way of thinking doesn’t reflect that many open platform companies will work alongside their less tech-savvy users to provide the necessary support to ensure their integrations are seamlessly managed, and in a timely manner. Because of these offerings alongside the advantages of an open platform, it’s clear that this security model outpaces the other. 

Depending on budget considerations, if a business wants to move to an open platform to take advantage of freedom of choice, they should look at different segments and decide which can be migrated, thereby planning for a future architecture where the road is not yet paved.

How the Open Platform Equips Businesses for the Future

Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, significant advancements in hardware, and specialized processor capabilities are making it easier for security providers to deliver new solutions that will better meet business needs. By combining adaptability, innovation, and operational benefits, an open platform enables businesses to stay ahead of trends, challenges, and opportunities, ensuring they are equipped for long-term success. 

Seamless Integrations and Customization 

Users shouldn’t have to rip and replace all their systems in order to get an integrated solution. An open platform lets you integrate your existing security and business system to get more value from your video security investment for more flexibility and futureproofing, including: 

• Video Analytics 
• Access Control 
• Business Intelligence 
• Identity Management 
• Intercom 
• Intrusion 
• License Plate Recognition 
• Monitoring 
• Point of Sale 
• Smart Sensors 
• Storage 
• Thermal 

An open ecosystem allows businesses to use existing IP cameras and integrate with other system elements like business intelligence. Combining these data points with video verification provides more actionable intelligence to secure and support an operation. 

Access to Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

With an open platform, cameras that lack AI-powered features can be upgraded with third-party analytics integrations, all while avoiding the cost of replacing the actual cameras themselves. This enables businesses to improve the investment of their original security purchase while still enjoying the benefits of video analytics. Some of these analytics capabilities include person or object detection, loitering, or people counting.

The open platform also allows you to add other industry-leading solutions that address your needs, such as specific cameras that support analytics tied to license plate recognition, while providing you with a system to search and alert on that data regardless of the source. 

These analytics can also identify vehicle license plate numbers and tie those to alerts in case a certain vehicle is found, or video is needed. Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the landscape of cloud video surveillance. Now, businesses and organizations across industries can leverage this advanced technology to monitor their buildings more effectively than ever before by optimizing their operations, enhancing safety, and improving customer experiences. 

The use cases of this powerful technology go beyond that, and it’s expected that this security feature will only continue to become more advanced, improving the safety of businesses everywhere. 

Improved Processing Power at the Edge 

Edge computing is making a noticeable difference in how businesses are leveraging their devices. Instead of having data sent from devices to a central server, edge computing allows data processing to happen on the device itself. 

When combined with AI, this computing becomes more powerful. Now, cameras can use a dedicated analytics processor to recognize events where the camera is. Computing at the edge also doesn’t take away any storage or resources from your servers, allowing you to add analytics to your existing system without concerns for current processing limitations. 

Enhanced Scalability With an Open Cloud Architecture 

Open cloud architecture is making it easier than ever for businesses to scale their security solutions as their organization grows. Not only does this allow them to accommodate more locations, users, or cameras without requiring significant hardware investments, it also doesn’t require them to adhere to a single provider, allowing them to take over locations while utilizing existing security infrastructure. 

Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings 

Centralized management through an open platform is bringing more businesses into the future of security by simplifying the management of surveillance users, devices, and locations. By having all of your solutions in a single place, it enables your business to balance all of your disparate devices seamlessly. Plus, it has the added benefits of helping you cut costs and simplify maintenance by reducing reliance on proprietary hardware. 

Future-Ready Innovation 

As new applications and integrations emerge, businesses can expand their ecosystem through an open platform, allowing them to adopt new innovations seamlessly without waiting for proprietary solutions, such as ATM cameras. This reduces the risk businesses may feel by committing their entire surveillance budget to a single solution. Instead, they can mix and match what works best within their business, lowering the overall cost up front and providing a better return on investment down the road. 

Additionally, open platforms foster partnerships between technology providers, unlocking innovation and co-development potential. These collaborations help build better security solutions for the end user, providing more powerful systems for businesses to leverage in the future 

Improved Compliance With Cybersecurity 

Cybersecurity is one of the most commonly cited concerns for end-users considering migrating to the cloud-managed video security. Luckily, an open platform cloud-managed video system can actually increase cybersecurity. 

An open platform offers the option to allow your systems users to use a single log in across your systems through powerful cybersecurity integrations, not only reducing burden on IT but also improving the security of your platform. 

Additionally, by moving user management, credentials, and authentication to the cloud, it becomes easier to track user activity, control access, and make changes in real time. It also becomes easier to manage software updates and audit software versions. Software updates can even be performed remotely without the need for on-site IT staff. 

A cloud-based platform gives you the tools and features you need to deploy our best-in-class, cloud-managed video surveillance solution without compromising the security of your network, customers, employees or processes. Our platform enhances cybersecurity through best practices, including: 

• Ability to audit user activity 
• Automated lost password resets 
• Automated software updates 
• Cross-site request forgery protection 
• Digital signature verification 
• HTTPS video transmission 
• Multi-factor authentication 
• NIST-compliant data encryption 
• No open inbound ports 
• Single sign-on to access remote clients and reduce the potential for rogue remote clients 
• Transport layer security 

Open Cloud Video Surveillance Built for Modern Businesses

The value of the open platform is clear: greater flexibility, more cost-effective deployments, and overall, more advantageous in addressing current and future needs for business operations and security. An organization’s ability to future-proof their investment is more vital now than ever and underlines the importance of an open platform and freedom of choice. 

Being able to seamlessly integrate new technology into an existing security investment allows businesses to upgrade their solution while saving money, all while doing so at their own pace. Cutting-edge developments, like AI-based video analytics and edge computing to lessen the stress on system resources, can be leveraged through an open platform. Additionally, an open platform allows businesses to more flexibly scale their system across locations by working with a wide range of devices and systems, including access control, intrusion, and business intelligence. Instead of having to rip and replace, an open platform allows organizations to utilize their existing security measures. This offers better efficiency and cost-savings, while leaving the door open for future innovations. Using an open platform also allows users to leverage powerful cybersecurity best practices, including single sign-on for convenient access to all systems, while also enabling easier updates and user management for improved compliance and security. 

The future of security involves gathering more data points from more sources to give you a complete picture of their business. By using an open platform, businesses can turn that data into actionable intelligence to make more informed decisions and solve real problems affecting their operations. 

Interested in learning more about how our cloud-managed video solutions work with the technology you have today and the technology you adopt tomorrow? Book a demo with OpenEye.