Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Video Surveillance

Analytics on the Edge vs. on the Server – What’s Right for Your Business?

By Paul Kong
analytics
February 12, 2019

There are several options to consider when it comes to analytics for video surveillance systems: deploy analytics on the edge, or “in-camera”; use a dedicated server; or use a hybrid approach which leverages both edge and server implementations.

 

The Power at the Edge

As more powerful in-camera chipsets are developed, edge devices continue to evolve. They are capable of utilizing powerful analytics that can inform operators on a wide range of real-time video or audio events requiring attention. Some cameras include video analytics like loitering, line crossing, face detection, enter/exit and direction detection. Audio classification can warn of glass breaks, gunshots and screams. More sophisticated analytics like queue management and heat maps bring new opportunities for business and traffic intelligence.

The next step in the evolution will come from a form of AI (Artificial Intelligence) called Deep Learning. Deep learning takes machine learning to a new level based on neural network theory that mimics the complexity of the human brain. Previously only available as a server-side process which would require video to be decompressed and processed, algorithms and companion data sets created from deep learning can be embedded on the edge to perform real-time detection and alerts for the specific conditions they have been trained to recognize. While edge devices cannot continue to self-learn, they can provide a useful function for recognizing known objects or behaviors. Still in its infancy, this technology will take in-camera analytics to a new level for both security and retail use cases.

 

Servers Have an Important Role to Play

Even with the increased analytic power available on the edge, there are certain tasks that benefit from running on a powerful server. As an example, license plate recognition demands more than optical character recognition, it also requires an interface to a large database where plates can be stored, cross-referenced and flagged. Likewise, facial recognition requires sophisticated database analytics for the same reasons. Dedicated servers are more expensive than edge devices with in-built analytics, so it’s important to clearly understand the needs of a business – Do we need to detect an object or a specific person? For now, machine learning and deep learning algorithms that continuously learn require the computational horsepower and storage that only a server can provide.

 

Bandwidth Limits – Server vs. Edge

As powerful as servers are, they do have limits. If a server is going to analyze video, it must first decode it, which consumes a fixed amount of CPU/GPU resources. After the video is decoded, then it can be analyzed. As the video channel count grows, it’s possible to saturate even a powerful server very quickly. Edge devices are immune to this problem because analytics are typically run right after the image is captured and before it is encoded into an IP video stream. The results of the analytics are then passed as data to the VMS, NVR or messaging system as metadata, which is quite small compared to a video stream.

 

Enter the Hybrid

For the reasons above, you can imagine that for powerful analytics processes, such as number plate or facial recognition, an efficiency can be derived from combining edge analytics with server-side processing and database management.

This hybrid approach is already in use by some vendors as a way to deliver powerful analytics at a fraction of the previous cost. In order to enable this, some camera manufacturers have reserved space on their cameras to allow third-party plugin analytics to be installed which pass data directly to the server. The video doesn’t need to be decoded which saves precious CPU/GPU cycles. This represents an ideal scenario that uses the best of both worlds: Edge analytics harvesting data before video is encoded, and servers receiving lightweight metadata from the edge to perform analysis. Whereas a single server might be able to decode and analyze 20 channels of video, the same server processing metadata provided by the cameras could analyze over 250 channels. The cost savings of such an implementation is substantial.

 

Conclusion

The edge will continue to deliver compelling analytics capabilities that suit a majority of use cases. The evolution of AI and deep learning will accelerate both edge and server capabilities to new levels in our industry. For the most demanding analytics, database processes and AI implementations, a hybrid approach can yield the best business value.

KEYWORDS: artificial intelligence (AI) gunshot detection security budget security cameras security systems integration security technology video analytics

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Paul Kong is the technical director for Hanwha Techwin America and former software specialist for the Hanwha Techwin headquarters in South Korea. He has been in the security industry for over 13 years working from many different vantage points ranging from technician to product development and integration manager.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Security Leadership and Management
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity Education & Training
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Coding on screen

Research reveals mass scanning and exploitation campaigns

White post office truck

Department of Labor Sues USPS Over Texas Whistleblower Termination

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

May 22, 2025

Proactive Crisis Communication

Crisis doesn't wait for the right time - it strikes when least expected. Is your team prepared to communicate clearly and effectively when it matters most?

September 29, 2025

Global Security Exchange (GSX)

 

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • ports-enews

    Six Questions to Ask When Selecting Surveillance Systems for Harsh & Rugged Environments

    See More
  • SEC0421-Edu-FEAT_MAIN_1170x878px

    7 top tips for buying the best video analytics software for your business

    See More
  • Mansfield ISD Police Department in Texas; school surveillance, school security

    Selecting the Right Surveillance for Your School

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing