Smarter Security: AI Keeps Watch Over Mixed-Use Spaces

From bustling office towers to vibrant retail hubs and secure residential enclaves, mixed-use developments present a unique puzzle for security professionals. Ensuring safety across such diverse environments demands an intelligent and adaptable strategy – a need that AI-powered video analytics and smart access control solutions are increasingly fulfilling.

With their capacity for advanced anomaly detection, real-time monitoring, and mobile-based access control, security operations are becoming more proactive and efficient. Businesses and property managers are turning to these technologies to not only bolster security but also enhance the overall experience for tenants, employees, and visitors alike.

Industry experts are touting AI-powered security systems as game-changers, reshaping safety protocols, streamlining operations, and mitigating risks in large-scale developments. This article delves into how AI-driven video analytics, biometric authentication, and cloud-based access control are spearheading the future of security in these complex, mixed-use environments.

AI-driven video and audio analytics for security monitoring

The integration of AI-powered video and audio analytics is revolutionizing security operations within mixed-use developments, providing real-time monitoring capabilities and drastically improving response times.

Justin Kumulia, Business Development Manager for Intercoms and Access Control for APAC at Axis Communications, highlights how AI is automating threat detection and optimizing security workflows.

“AI-powered video and audio analytics streamline security by identifying anomalies, analyzing crowd movements, and delivering real-time alerts,” Kumulia explains.

Anomaly detection is a critical feature, enhancing security by pinpointing unusual behaviors. AI systems are capable of recognizing activities such as loitering, tailgating, or disruptive noises. “For example, in a shopping mall setting, AI can detect someone lingering suspiciously near emergency exits and immediately alert security personnel to potential threats,” he elaborates.

Crowd intelligence is also key in managing high-traffic areas, especially during peak hours or special events. AI monitors crowd density and movement, triggering alerts if congestion reaches unsafe levels.

“During events, the system monitors foot traffic and notifies management if crowds become excessively dense, enabling proactive measures to prevent potential hazards,” Kumulia adds.

Furthermore, AI facilitates real-time alerts that bolster security response. “In office lobbies, AI can identify unauthorized access attempts or disturbances, instantly alerting security teams and enabling rapid intervention to maintain safety without constant manual oversight,” he says.

The combination of anomaly detection, crowd intelligence, and real-time alerts minimizes false alarms, accelerates incident response times, and optimizes resource allocation, ensuring a safer environment for tenants and visitors.

Smart access control and mobile credentials

Beyond surveillance, smart access control systems are becoming essential for securing mixed-use developments. Mobile credentials and biometric authentication are replacing traditional access methods, enhancing both security and operational efficiency.

Suprema CEO Hanchul Kim emphasizes the benefits of deploying a flexible and dynamic access control system. “Implementing Suprema’s new BioStar in mixed-use settings provides a comprehensive suite of access control features that greatly enhance operational efficiency and security,” he states.

Kim explains that the system supports video surveillance, multi-factor authentication (MFA), zoning, visitor management, and membership management, thereby reducing the need for extensive security staffing.

“Its flexibility allows for tailored security measures across different areas – high-security zones such as data center rooms can implement MFA and strict zoning, while visitor areas can utilize streamlined self-enrollment processes with access granted via email,” he notes.

Suprema’s mobile credential technology eliminates the need for physical access cards, reducing administrative burdens.

“Access authority can be remotely assigned, modified, or revoked in real-time, closing security gaps that often exist with physical credentials when tenants leave or their employment status changes,” Kim adds.

In mixed-use environments, where tenant turnover is frequent, this dynamic credential management proves particularly valuable.

Another advantage is the scalability of these systems. Property managers can implement different levels of security depending on the function of each space. High-risk areas, such as financial offices or healthcare facilities, may require multiple authentication factors, while common areas can offer more seamless access for residents and visitors.

Multi-factor authentication and cloud-based access control

Prabhuraj Patil, Senior Director of Physical Access Control Solutions for ASEAN and India at HID, also underscores the significance of integrating smart access control with mobile and biometric authentication.

“Smart access control technology is revolutionizing security and operational efficiency in mixed-use developments by delivering seamless, scalable, and highly secure solutions tailored to the needs of diverse user groups,” he says.

One of the primary benefits of mobile credentials is their ability to enhance security through encryption and secure storage on users’ smartphones. Unlike traditional access cards, which can be lost, stolen, or cloned, mobile credentials significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

“Integrating mobile credentials with biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) offers multi-factor authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of security to ensure that only authorized individuals can access specific areas,” Patil explains.

Cloud-based access control platforms further enhance security by enabling real-time modifications of access privileges.

“Property managers can grant, revoke, or modify access privileges instantly, minimizing security vulnerabilities arising from lost or outdated credentials,” he says.

Moreover, smart access control systems integrate seamlessly with digital visitor management platforms, providing temporary credentials to guests and service providers.

“This reduces reliance on physical passes and improves security oversight,” Patil notes.

Cloud-based solutions also ensure continuity of access, even in emergency situations. In the event of a power failure or network disruption, cloud-enabled security systems allow administrators to maintain control over access permissions remotely.

This reduces the risk of security lapses and helps maintain order in large-scale developments where security operations cannot afford downtime.

Another growing trend is the use of AI-driven behavioral analytics in access control. By analyzing user patterns, AI can detect irregular access attempts, flagging potential security threats before they escalate.

AI-powered access control systems can even automate response actions, such as triggering alerts or temporarily restricting access to a suspicious individual until further verification is conducted.

The future of AI-powered security in mixed-use developments

As mixed-use developments continue to grow, the role of AI-driven video analytics and smart access control solutions will become increasingly critical.

The ability to detect anomalies, manage crowds, and enhance access control security through mobile credentials and biometric authentication is shaping the future of security operations.

Industry experts agree that AI-powered security not only enhances safety but also boosts operational efficiency by reducing reliance on manual monitoring and physical access credentials. By leveraging AI and cloud-based access control, property managers can ensure robust security measures while adapting to the evolving needs of tenants and visitors.

Moreover, future advancements in AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) are expected to bring even more sophisticated security capabilities. Integrated security ecosystems that combine AI-powered surveillance, smart locks, and mobile authentication could provide a seamless and automated security experience across mixed-use properties.

The use of predictive analytics in security management is also gaining traction. By analyzing historical data, AI systems can anticipate security threats and suggest preemptive measures. For instance, if an AI system detects a rise in unauthorized access attempts in a specific area, security managers can preemptively increase monitoring or adjust access control policies to prevent breaches.

With ongoing technological advancements in AI, biometrics, and mobile authentication, mixed-use developments are poised to become safer, more efficient, and better equipped to handle security challenges in the years ahead.