Bank heists have evolved from masked robbers to sophisticated cyber threats, and the banking sector’s need for cutting-edge security systems has never been more critical. The traditional security measures like physical barriers, human surveillance, and electronic alarms serve their purpose. Yet, they are ill-equipped to handle the scale of modern security threats.
“In today’s banks, we generally find physical security systems that merely tell you if a door or window is opening and camera systems that are not high resolution,” observes Herman DeBoard, CEO of Huvr. “We even hear about incidents where bad actors drill through a wall and avoid doors and windows altogether. The truth is that current systems are not built for the modern thief.”
The advent of AI promises to revolutionize this space, offering smarter and more responsive solutions to safeguard financial institutions. Recently acquired by Huvr Inc., OpticSense is a pioneering company specializing in AI-driven physical security solutions. The partnership is poised to redefine the landscape of bank security with advanced technology.
The shortcomings of traditional bank security systems
For decades, banks have relied on a combination of physical security measures and basic electronic systems to protect assets. The assets included vaults, surveillance cameras, motion detectors, and human guards. While these measures provide a certain level of deterrence and protection, they are not infallible and often suffer from several limitations.
Cameras and alarm systems cannot cover every conceivable entry point or angle. In addition, many systems are vulnerable to tampering and environmental factors such as electromagnetic interference or power outages.
Intrusions often go undetected after they occur, leading to delayed responses. “Banks and credit union executives tell us that their main concern is the lack of real-time information. This is because it pertains to high-level threats and events,” says DeBoard. “Most current physical security systems are used in post-event investigations. They are typically not designed to respond to events as they are happening.”
How OpticSense addresses the shortcomings of conventional banks’ security systems
OpticSense is an advanced security solution that utilizes optical acoustic sensing technology to provide a new level of protection for banks. The core of the system lies in the fiber optic interferometer (FoRI) technology fashioned into a patented ring, which sets OpticSense apart from traditional security measures by detecting even the slightest disturbances as sound waves pass through and bend the beam of light.
For example, the FoRI technology’s sensing loop can surround extensive areas to continuously sense and gather data on event occurrence within the entire perimeter. As the system operates in the background, AI processes a constant stream of data. This way it learns to recognize different disturbance patterns. When it detects a threat, it alerts security personnel, allowing them to respond promptly, often before the situation escalates into an emergency.
“Our system combines FoRI technology with cameras and a sophisticated AI server,” DeBoard explains. “It acts as an army of eyes and ears in and around your facility. As events happen, the AI server analyzes audio and video clips in real-time, creates a summary of each event, tags a severity level to it, and organizes the events onto a control panel for bank security professionals. The system also sends real-time text messages as events unfold, complete with detailed descriptions of everyone involved.”
Effortless Installation, Maximum Protection
Unlike conventional systems, the fiber portion of OpticSense is immune to electromagnetic discharges and environmental factors like weather or wind, allowing it to maintain constant vigilance under any conditions. Furthermore, the system’s plug-and-play nature — coupled with low power consumption and easy deployment — makes it a cost-effective solution. Its capability to integrate with existing fiber networks also allows for scalable implementation.
OpticSense’s FoRI system does not require a complete overhaul of a bank’s security system but instead integrates seamlessly into existing setups. You can install the technology both inside and out, providing comprehensive monitoring and threat detection on the entire bank premises. Best of all, this highly covert system is undetectable when hidden.
“Even in large venues, the installation takes about a day,” notes DeBoard. “We are currently working inside major entertainment venues and utility companies that already have a dozen or more layers of security. OpticSense is simply a modern AI layer that these organizations do not have.”
AI’s Role in OpticSense
“Until Huvr released OpticSense AI, there had not been any real developments in bank security for over a decade,” says DeBoard.
Cutting-edge AI plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of OpticSense. The system collects audio or acoustic signature data through its sensing loop. This happens before AI algorithms analyze this data to distinguish between different types of disturbances, learning and classifying events over time. This continuous learning process ensures that the system becomes increasingly accurate and efficient in threat detection.
AI-driven technology represents the future of bank security. Combining Huvr Inc.’s expertise in innovative tech solutions with OpticSense’s advanced AI capabilities promises to outpace and outmaneuver modern threats and redefine industry standards.
“It is critical that customers have a high degree of confidence in their banks and financial institutions,” DeBoard concludes. “We hear far too many stories of people being accosted in ATM Vestibules and bank parking lots. Upgrading security with an added layer of AI protection provides strategic event data to security personnel and police. Ultimately, it decreases response times and keeps people safer.”