Integrated Surveillance and AI-enabled Video Analytics for Safer Airports and Passengers in Saudi Arabia

The aviation sector is crucial to Saudi Arabia’s growth and global reputation as an economic powerhouse. According to a recent IATA report, it currently supports 500K+ jobs and adds US$36.5 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP. Over the next two decades, it will add US$82.3 billion of GDP and 1.2 million jobs.

Considering the sector’s present and future economic value, Saudi Arabia is understandably focusing on its strategic expansion and transformation. Based on its Vision 2030 plan, the Kingdom aims to expand its aviation infrastructure.

But as Saudi adds more airports and these transportation hubs become busier, they will face more security threats. These threats may undermine crew and passenger safety, and jeopardize the country’s national security. To effectively counter these threats and protect its critical infrastructures, Saudi needs to look beyond traditional, stand-alone security systems.

It needs to deploy advanced surveillance systems coupled with cutting-edge video management systems (VMS) and AI-powered video analytics. These trailblazing solutions will strengthen airport security in Saudi Arabia and enhance the experiences of passengers passing through or visiting this vibrant jewel of the Middle East.

The Drawbacks of Traditional Security Devices for Airport Security

Traditional surveillance devices like cameras add to the surveillance capabilities of human guards, making them indispensable for monitoring airport premises and people. However, this old-fashioned approach necessitates manual reviews of camera output. Large teams are needed to manually check and analyze the feeds from thousands of cameras in order to keep an eye on airport premises and people. This effort is time consuming and increases the risk that teams will miss or ignore a real threat.

Furthermore, the cameras don’t necessarily improve teams’ situational awareness. If anything, the huge avalanche of data that they produce 24/7/365 slows down incident and emergency response. Also, most of the data is not actionable or insightful, making it harder for personnel to proactively address threats, seriously compromising airport security and public safety.

Advancing Airport Security with Modern, Integrated Surveillance Technologies

Modern, unified surveillance systems eliminate the challenges of older camera systems. These new innovations seamlessly integrate large numbers of “smart” cameras that provide 360-degree views and monitor the entire airport perimeter 24x7 to eliminate blind spots and improve teams’ situational awareness.

With AI-powered video analytics capabilities, the system can auto-analyze incoming feeds using advanced techniques like machine learning, neural networks, object detection, and facial recognition. It then generates useful, actionable, real-time insights that are readily available on a user-friendly, visually rich VMS.

These insights enable security staff to effortlessly monitor various airport zones, arrivals, dispatchers, unidentified objects, and choke points. They can also monitor suspicious objects, activities, and persons, and identify illegal/suspicious incursions into off-limits areas. Most importantly, with fast information available in real-time and on demand, they can quickly execute appropriate measures to mitigate threats and improve passenger and staff safety.

Integrated surveillance systems also help airport managers. They can use real-time insights and a centralized VMS platform to identify crowded areas and dynamically adjust resource allocation. By assigning more staff based on real-time situational data, they can minimize congestion, streamline passenger processing, and enhance passenger safety and experiences.

Overcoming Implementation Challenges with a Systems Integrator

Saudi Arabia can potentially set global standards for airport security and passenger safety. But to achieve this distinction, the Kingdom needs to adopt the latest integrated surveillance systems and technologies.

That said, implementing such systems can be challenging. Cost and infrastructure-related hurdles may hinder Saudi from garnering the benefits of integrated systems. Fortunately, there is a way to avoid these hurdles and ensure successful implementation: partner with a trustworthy systems integrator.

Convergint MEA: Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Position as the Global Leader in Airport Security Technology

Convergint EMEA is an expert systems integrator for airport surveillance systems. Our experts and technologies can reshape the future of aviation in Saudi Arabia and make the Kingdom the global leader in airport security technology.

We are experienced in building, customizing, and integrating AI-enabled surveillance ecosystems that provide complete airport perimeters and premises coverage. In addition, they generate real-time insights that enhance situational awareness of security teams and improve emergency responsiveness to make Saudi airports safer.

To experience our aviation surveillance technologies for yourself, Contact our Experts.