How accessible technologies provide increased connectivity and security for people

The company highlights the need for companies not just to rely on technical solutions but to focus on business processes as well.

It is an unquestionable fact that the lockdowns and travel restrictions brought about by the pandemic were a tough period for almost all markets, especially given how the need to operate better is expected amidst a staggered process. Companies had to recuperate from its impacts whilst also ensuring that they stay on top of their targets.

The rise of digital technologies within companies, as well as the gradual relaxation of lockdowns, has brought opportunities for the Asia Pacific markets.

Speaking with Singapore Business Review, Swedish manufacturer Axis Communications noted that amongst those with the most market potential, given these circumstances, are companies who are moving from analogue solutions into digital or IP-based surveillance.

Axis Communications Regional Director for South Asia Pacific, Carl Malmqvist noted that the speed at which the shift is happening is going to increase over time, with further technological shifts coming.

“What we have learned through COVID is that everything goes digital and the realisation of being on an analogue system is more current in people's minds now, than it was before. So, we see that, and it's going to be a massive shift, and Axis, being a leader in IP and digital network surveillance solutions, are ready to take part in it,” he said.

When it comes to the need for accessibility to its technologies and solutions, Malmqvist pointed out three key focus areas to address this specifically for the Southeast Asia and India markets.

The most important factor is that the company must drive its solutions out to its distributors in a more consistent way: from a strong project-based distribution to a balance of that and having varied inventory on-site in both major and tier-2 cities. The regional director observed that this undertaking will give the company more accessibility across the region.

At the same time, Malmqvist mentioned the need to work closely with its biggest and most reliable partners, as well as the need to develop and build long-term engagements together with these partners to stay relevant in the market, especially when it comes to working with enterprise customers in both government and private sectors.

Malmqvist noted that the company is at the forefront of going further to be part of the 5G rollout in the region and be a name connected with solutions and services that will pave the way for increased connectivity, especially in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and India.

“It's going to create a massive opportunity for these markets to leapfrog from a digitalisation and connectivity perspective, and that we are driving that with a long-term strategic goal in mind.

Combatting cybersecurity and data privacy concerns and risks from technology adoption in physical security solutions

For Axis Communications and the security industry, technological innovations are major opportunities to showcase their offerings. It cannot be denied, however, that this also comes with risks.

Director of Core Technologies, Mats Thulin noted that new technologies being brought into operations always have limitations that are always uncertain the first time. He said that oftentimes, it’s not only the technology but how it is being used and the learning process where users find out the limits of these technologies.

In this regard, companies can utilise having proper risk management processes in place, doing risk assessments, acting on findings, and doing preventive actions to mitigate risks.

Amongst the examples Thulin provided for doing risk assessment are the act of moving into analytics and the automation of processes. He said that it is important for companies to look at what decisions are being automated and to ensure that there is a human in the loop to conscientiously make the final decisions and analyze actions caused by certain triggers that could, for example, cause false alarms and what consequences these could cause.

“The heart of cybersecurity is about business processes; to really understand the full flow of practices and educate users,” Thulin added.

Axis Communications assists companies in future-proofing their operations and prepares the security teams to embrace such changes through its wide range of products and services. Whilst security cameras are at the heart of Axis, it has broadened the portfolio with components to build an integrated end-to-end solution. It is also adding new areas such as audio solutions, access control, and intercom solutions.

The company leverages these solutions to address the clients’ varying needs in security. Thulin said that his team is focused on developing innovation, driving new technologies, and building on existing features around solutions such as image processing, video compression, and so on. They are also targeting and trying to understand the maturity of technologies and the timing of when to bring technology into the product.

“You’re ensuring that these technologies are addressing real end-user and customer needs. To turn that around, even though my teams are working with technology development, they are really focused on end-customer use cases; to understand the real problems, doing proof of concepts and pilot installations,” Thulin said. This helps in driving the point that the teams use the learned knowledge and technologies as tools to solve end customers’ pain points and needs.

Along with Mats Thulin and Singapore Business Review's Contributing Editor, Simon Hyett, watch this panel discussion at Axis SAP Partner Summit about the future of security.