Is it time to update your security system? Most organizations upgrade cameras, card readers, and servers every few years. It may seem like simply updating equipment, but the platform choices behind those devices can stick with you for a decade or longer.
Proprietary security systems lock you into one brand and one way of doing things. This means you may have blind spots and you may not be as well protected as you think. We encourage our clients to consider whether open vs proprietary security systems are the best fit for your business or organization.
If you manage a commercial or institutional property in the Pittsburgh and Tri-State area, the real question isn’t simply “which camera system is best?” but “Can my system grow to meet my changing needs?”
Security is such a complex field blending expertise in technology, risk assessment, and human psychology in a way that covers your organization’s vulnerabilities.
Choosing Between Open vs Proprietary Security Systems
An open platform security system is built using common, published standards and APIs (for example ONVIF, PSIA). In 2024, the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) announced that there were more than 30,000 product models that meet their standards. With so many choices, there are options for any size organization or level of security risk.
Open systems are designed to integrate products from multiple manufacturers for video, access control, networking, and alarms. Benefits of open platform security systems include:
- The ability to save money by shopping around
- Custom setup for your facilities and needs
- An easier time making upgrades and updates if one piece of the system falls short
- The ability to scale as your organization grows, acquires new facilities, or evolves
Security Informed reported that historically a business or organization needed to replace their security camera and systems every 7 to 10 years. This is rapidly changing with software enhancements like system integrations, communication and notification options, and use of artificial intelligence to recognize patterns. Today’s systems need more frequent adjustments to stay ahead of an ever-evolving set of risks.
The main downside is that an open security system requires working with a professional who knows how to build systems drawing from multiple brands. Sometimes people are concerned that an open plan means anyone can figure out how to bypass or exploit your system. With strong security protocols either open source or proprietary systems are effective.
Of course, proprietary systems also have their benefits. The main benefits are convenience and ease with everything designed to work well together. The main risks of proprietary security systems are the lack of flexibility and risk of needing to replace the whole system if it doesn’t suit your needs. Other risks include vendor lock‑in and getting stuck with higher priced and less effective equipment. This can lead to higher costs if you need a change or if the vendor changes direction.
Whether you opt for open source or proprietary, your security system should help reduce your risk whether that risk comes from theft, corporate espionage, violent crime, or accidents. Video cameras and access control systems contribute to personal accountability. All of this supports efficiency for your team as they intervene when needed, conduct investigations, gather evidence, and compile reports.
Keeping Sight of the Goal
Pittsburgh’s 2024 annual public safety report shows 2,396 burglary-related calls for service and 5,341 “suspicious activity” calls. While crime isn’t your only concern, protecting your property and its perimeter is constantly in the backdrop when making system decisions.
Whether you are responsible for securing a small business, a school campus, or a multi-site hospital network people are counting on you and your system. 2 Krew Security and Surveillance specializes in solutions for Pittsburgh and Tri-State area organizations. Each community has its own set of challenges, working with a security vendor that understands your challenges enables you to choose the best system.
Whichever You Choose, Integration is Crucial
Whether you go with a specific brand or an open source platform, integration is crucial. In the much-too-recent past organizations had to rely on siloed systems where they had separate systems for their security camera, access control, fire and security alarm systems, and IT security. This resulted in many false alarms, missed connections, and required security professionals to spend hours carefully reviewing video footage, logs, and documents.
Integrated systems help your team be more effective and efficient. With modern AI, your camera may notice an employee entering the parking lot at a different time than usual. The access control may note this employee then proceeds to use their badge to enter a sensitive area of the building. This may be enough to prompt your security officer to check on what is happening and possibly catch a theft or data breach as it happens. An integrated system also simplifies collecting evidence and filling out compliance reports.
It isn’t just about protecting your organization from theft. A school or hospital campus may use an integrated system that watches for safety concerns like unauthorized individuals lurking in dark corners of the parking lot. The system can alert your security team to check it out, contact police, or alert students, patients or staff of the potential risk. In other words, it may save someone from harm.
Too often a manager only learns of their proprietary system’s constraints when they need to add another camera or another piece to the existing system. Be sure to look into options to expand or adjust your integrated system before you get locked in to a potentially costly mistake.
Making these choices is often daunting, but a skilled security system integrator can help you work through these choices.
Choosing a Security System Integrator
A security integrator is a professional who helps you navigate the overwhelming choices involved in designing a system that protects your organization and team.
When you strip away the buzzwords and brand names, your security system integrator is the team that will design, wire, configure, and live with your system right alongside you. Choosing them is more important than choosing the hardware itself.
Find an integrator you can trust and one aligned with your preferences. Some professionals may be bound to recommend a specific brand or proprietary platform. If an off-the-shelf option works for you this may be easy and convenient. If your layout or needs are more complicated, an open source system may be a better fit.
With an open source platform, your integrator can choose among the best camera, alarm, access control, or cyber security systems that suit the needs of your campus, warehouse, or property. However, this option requires you to work with an integrator who is able to recommend the best products and practices for you rather than sticking with one system.
Have a frank conversation about your needs, vulnerabilities, and limitations. Also, ask a few questions to learn about your prospective integrator’s:
- Design and integration expertise especially using either an open source platform or proprietary platform depending on your needs
- Experience with organizations and facilities like yours
- Understanding of IT, cybersecurity, and networking systems
- Knowledge of the Pittsburgh and Tri-State area community
- Ask any additional questions to get a sense of whether the integrators approach, values, and expertise is a good fit for your organization
Also, ask targeted questions about their recommendations. Here are a few to help you get started:
- If we needed to add a different camera or reader in three years, what would that look like?
- Which parts of this design are open platforms and which are proprietary?
- Do you have any examples of how a set-up like this benefited other organizations?
- How easily can this system integrate with our HR, IT, and compliance tools?
- What happens if this vendor raises prices, sunsets a product, or is acquired?
Working with 2 Krew Security and Surveillance
2 Krew Security and Surveillance specializes in custom security systems integrating computer networking, video surveillance, access control, and alarm systems. We proudly serve the Pittsburgh and Tri-State area.
Contact us today to learn how to use today’s technology to make your business safer.
