SecurityHive.com Profile: Scott Dunn, Axis Communications

The SecurityHive.com community voted during the summer of 2014 and selected the Physical Security and Video Surveillance industry’s Top 12 Influencers. – This Profile is one in the series of Top 12 making a difference in our industry

Scott Dunn

Scott Dunn, Director of Business Development, Axis Communications

 

 

Scott Dunn is responsible for Software Development and Technology partner programs, National Accounts Partnerships, Vertical Market Development, Consulting-Engineering Programs, New Program and Market Development and introduction of new Axis technolgies into new markets and channels. Scott leads a focused, high performing business development team.

 

A community of over 8000 industry professionals has just selected you as one of the Top 12 industry Influencers for 2014. What is your reaction to that?

I am honored to have been selected by this community of my peers and truly appreciate the recognition. At Axis, as trailblazers in the physical security industry, we feel it’s our responsibility to actively contribute to the security industry and to support educational initiatives that will keep improving the profession and the industry .

How long have you been active in the physical security/video surveillance industry and what brought you into this industry?

I have been in the security industry for almost twenty years. Prior to joining this industry, I worked in labor management systems—providing efficiencies to companies to improve their bottom line. When I was given the opportunity to join the security industry, I jumped at it since this meant I could work in a profession that affords me the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives, and make the world a more secure place, not just to improve the bottom line.

How did you get started (what was your first job) in this industry?

My first job was with Northern Computers when they were really taking off with electronic access control systems. I learned a lot at this job, and worked in an environment that allowed me to be creative. That first job in this industry provided a great learning experience while working in a creative environment.

What are some of the changes in the industry that you saw coming and are most proud about being accurate?

Back in 2005 when I joined Axis, I anticipated that a full shift to IP video was only a matter of time. I knew the promise of IP would be too compelling to ignore. In fact, prior to joining Axis full time I was already working with Axis on projects with some local law enforcement departments since I knew the ability for first responder to look at live camera feeds from their vehicles would be a great, life-saving technology.

How have you seen the industry change over the past few years?

It certainly has grown and the post 9/11 Security Industry is different as many larger companies came into the space after that tragic event. Technology has continued to develop at a rapid pace and educational offerings and industry associations have really made great strides and efforts to keep up with the ever changing times. I also think its become more global than ever before as threat management is more challenging and technology is available from many places to help us respond to the challenge.

What do you see has been the single most impactful technology in the industry?

While computing power, analytics and biometrics have had some effect on the industry, IP capabilities have had the greatest impact. The IP backbone has created easier and more effective communications so that instant situational awareness and proactive threat response, once thought to be science fiction, are becoming a reality. Although access control systems had been on networks for some time, it was the network camera that really drove the revolution. The ability to capture, transmit and analyze information rapidly is changing the world in many ways and security is one of the greatest beneficiaries of that technology.

As an industry influencer, can you share with us a business success story or case study that you are most proud about?

Oh there are so many its hard to choose one. I think our success with the Chicago Housing Authority is one that stands out to me. There were situations where some critics were concerned regarding the privacy of the people who lived there but it was quickly dismissed as the residents themselves told the authority they applauded the cameras being ever present as they felt it has a positive impact in creating a safer environment that deterred criminal behavior.

Please share with us your visions of this industry and what it will look like for manufacturers, integrators, installers, central stations, and end-users in the next 5 and 10 year period:

5 years:
Analytics and edge processing power will continue to improve as Moore’s Law states and cloud computing will continue to change the landscape for home and commercial environments. Edge devices will be smarter and more accurate. IT-based companies will continue to make inroads into the physical security and home management spaces.
 
10 years:
Wow, I wish I could find that crystal ball I had when I was a kid. I see more wearable devices and smart sensors touching every facet of our lives. Sadly I see security threats still coming from many places—both homegrown and abroad—which will continue to place a high demand for security expertise and advancing technology. Fortunately I see an even higher level of professionalism continuing for the security professionals and perhaps enhanced higher education course in both under graduate and post graduate schools.

Tell us about a current industry FAD or trend that you do _not_ see being around in the future (i.e.: NFC, gesture technology for access control, body worn cameras, patient biometric authentication, etc)

Well I don’t see a long term future for analog in general and any technology trying to really keep that alive. Wireless, 4G and IP backbones are everywhere, getting faster, cheaper, more secure etc.. We are a mobile society who really seems wed to mobile devices and instant communication.

What vertical market do you think is going to witness the biggest impact of industry advancements and why? (Airports, Seaports, Campus (K12/Univ), Hospitals, Law Enforcement, Banking, Oil/Gas, Retail, etc)?

Both retail and public safety will see the biggest advancements as they have the greatest motivation to act quickly. In the case of retail, its about using technology not only for security, but also to provide information to serve their customers better. For public safety, the ever present threats of terrorism push the industry to provide smarter solutions as a tool for security professionals and law enforcement to counter threats.

What are your thoughts on laws or legislation that are currently being considered or do you think may be forthcoming that will have an impact on the industry ( i.e. Banning of LPR cameras for police, cruise lines to requiring shipboard video surveillance, schools banned from collecting biometric data on students, etc):

Balancing security with individuals’ privacy is an ever-present issue. While it’s best to let the courts decide what is the best way forward, technology is improving to try to assist with providing a balance between safety and privacy. For instance, in some of our products we provide for “privacy masking” of areas that are not of interest for surveillance. Other technologies like biometrics have some privacy options as well.

What are your thoughts about technologies that may be intersecting with more individual/personal applications (i.e.: cloud, IoT, wearables, etc.)?

We have seen for sometime how consumer electronics are driving technology. More mobile devices, increased bandwidth to support streaming video, sensors and CPUs are evolving to meet consumer demand. Smartphones and Google glass wearable cameras are two examples of where I see technology for consumers intersecting with the professional security industry. For instance, today we can send video alarms directly to a guard’s smartphone and provide immediate situational awareness and law enforcement can see into public transportation systems in real-time. This is possible by made for consumer technology and 4G LTE infrastructure that was put in place primarily for the consumer market, In addition, smaller and more powerful processors and image sensors are all due to the demand from the consumer market.

It seems that ecosystems for physical security are expanding rapidly and are requiring deeper integration with different types of partners, providing new market opportunities. How can the industry support or accelerate these synergistic partnership opportunities?

A very good question. In the enterprise solution space it is widely accepted that best of breed solutions are a common occurrence and this of course puts a strain on the consultant who must keep up with the latest technologies and the systems integrator who must be capable of designing, installing and supporting various components in a total solution. We have been working for some time on putting together training and various other education opportunities for those who need to know the various players, parts and pieces so they can be a good partner and advisor for the end-users they serve. We also work very hard to communicate with our partners both from a technology and an opportunity standpoint. Finally, we take some of those key solutions and test integration ourselves so that we can provide guidelines for successful deployments. All parts of the ecosystem should make education a priority and be open to working with their strategic partners with good communication.

The industry has seen a significant increase in the merger and acquisition activity lately. What M&A activity do you think has been significant and what do you see happening with companies in the near future?

As markets mature, consolidation occurs. As advancing IP technology has spurred many start ups have also seen others that need to catch up making acquisitions or mergers a key part of their strategy. From an overall perspective this should help to provide for a good selection of solutions and service partners for end users of all sizes and needs. It can also help to fund smaller companies with great technology to continue to bring those solutions to market. As the market continues to mature, there will be some additional activity and this market, like many others, will have a similar dispersal of key players, medium players and new ones.

Is there anything in the “lab” that you’re currently working on or involved with that you would like to share with our readership?

Axis continues to innovate and invest in R&D. As you have seen with our recent edge-based Access control platform, we have expanded outside of video as we are expert at developing edge-based intelligent devices. Throughout the rest of this year and beyond, we will continue to see processing power, image quality and intelligence at the edge continue to develop.

Who do you look to as an industry influencer? Who or what are some resources that you follow?

I follow many of the traditional industry publications as well as those market segments my team is focused on, such as retail. I also follow some of the latest IT sector websites and of course the physical security industry association leadership teams. I am also fortunate enough to work for and with some extremely bright and forward thinking people at Axis. We have our own industry efforts, and hold end-user sessions that help us keep our ear to the market and stay ahead of trends.

Please provide any other feedback or comments you wish our readers to know about you or your position in the industry.

In my current role at Axis I lead the North American Business Development team which affords me a great opportunity to connect with our partners, end-users and to lead a team of experts who provide not only guidance, but business intelligence. We are strategically focused and committed to supporting the industry and providing leadership when it’s appropriate. We view the industry as not only a place to do business but also to learn from and to provide value.