One thing has become clear; to abide by the “new normal” restrictions, organizations need to be constantly aware of their environments’ compliance, in real-time. To do that, they need to improve their security and situational awareness, so they can quickly assess evolving situations and respond when violations occur.

Banks, like other businesses, are taking precautions to make customers feel safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Placing physical distancing markers on the floor, sanitizing ATMs, installing plexiglass partitions at teller booths and requiring scheduled appointments are just some of the ways financial institutions are mitigating risks for customers. Video surveillance can play a vitally important role right now, as banks look to ensure compliance with these new COVID-related safety measures. IP cameras with intelligent security analytics can help rapidly and accurately detect compliance issues, as well as other suspicious or atypical behavior. After all, banks must continue to monitor physical security even throughout the pandemic and today’s IP cameras with intelligent system-on-chip (SoC) technology can help lessen this burden with highly accurate notifications.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded the nation's largest statewide public transportation system NJ Transit more than two million dollars in grant money for security cameras and related equipment at dozens of locations.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) will receive $1.1 million of the $3.3 million in research, education and training grants awarded to universities that comprise FAA’s Air Transportation Center of Excellence (COE) for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE).

Senators Jeff Merkley (OR) and Bernie Sanders (VT) introduced the National Biometric Information Privacy Act of 2020 that would prohibit private companies from collecting biometric data — including eye scans, voiceprints, faceprints and fingerprints—without individuals’ written consent, and from profiting off of biometric data.

Cities all across America are jumping on the “Smart City” bandwagon. There are several different aspects of what a smart city looks like, but overall, cities are looking to use technology to make their city safer.

With treatment plans still far from being perfected, clinical trials just getting underway, and a discovered vaccine a year or so out, preventive methods and detections — in addition to social distancing and donning facial masks — are needed now more than ever in the war against the COVID-19 and any future epidemic outbreaks.