In just the past few years, AI has emerged as a transformative technological and cultural force poised to radically shift how we live and work. As the world explores the boundaries of what AI can (or even should) do, security professionals–particularly in government–are taking notice. AI tools are already being used to enhance aspects of security monitoring across industries, and they are proving their worth across practical security applications, from data analytics to facial recognition and even autonomous surveillance technology.  

But there are also risks: for government security teams who must be vigilant about introducing possible risks or vulnerabilities with every new technology, the decision to implement AI systems–or wait until they are developed further–is fraught with complexities. This is one reason why government agencies and institutions still rely heavily on legacy systems and can be reluctant to adopt cutting-edge innovations before they’ve been thoroughly proven.   

That said, there is also a risk in not implementing AI–and it revolves around the question of how to defend against adversaries who are using it. In other words, whether a government team is ready to bring AI onboard or not, their adversaries are certainly deploying it to circumvent even the best defenses–and that may be what ultimately spurs quicker adoption. You simply can’t fight AI with analog. 

Today, astronomical leaps in AI technology mean that those who do integrate it are often rewarded with exponential productivity gains as well as significant cost savings. For many security professionals, these are further strong reasons to integrate it into their security infrastructure while still prudently managing possible risks. 

The exponential power of AI in government security applications

Whether your role is to protect critical nuclear sites, military bases, federal buildings, or other physical infrastructure, AI can significantly enhance your security operations. These are the four ways that it is helping to strengthen security monitoring and response for government teams.

#1. Enhance overall surveillance capabilities

AI is already being deployed to bolster existing video surveillance systems, highlighting suspicious activity as it develops and alerting security teams to potential threats in real-time. With AI-enabled video capabilities that can flag unusual behavior or single out key individuals via facial recognition, organizations can transition from relying on human operators to scan multiple monitors and screens and instead enhance their effectiveness with AI that continuously and instantaneously scans all video feeds for potential threats. 

AI systems can also enhance physical surveillance tools like aerial drones and autonomous vehicles, giving organizations the added ability to monitor vast areas via ground or air. The advantage of coupling AI with these technologies is that they can then be used operationally in difficult, sparsely staffed, or particularly harsh environments where it would be impractical or costly to rely on human or video surveillance alone. In this case, security teams would be using AI-assisted surveillance to extend their capabilities, monitoring and managing areas humans would not as easily be able to cover. 

#2. Fortify physical defenses

From access control to perimeter security, AI is finding its way into countless government security applications. For example, access control systems are getting an added boost from AI-enhanced facial recognition, as well as fingerprint and retina scanning.  

Perimeter systems, meanwhile, are being improved with the implementation of smart fence technology that uses AI to detect breaches and differentiate between humans, vehicles, animals, debris, and other factors. These AI-enhanced fencing systems are already being used in real-world scenarios, from securing borders to keeping wildlife like elephants away from human settlements.  

#3. Detect patterns and flag possible threats

One of the things that AI does best is detect patterns, scanning a variety of data points to connect the dots and call out anomalies far faster than a human could. Because effective physical security relies on detecting and responding to these anomalous patterns, AI is an ideal tool for enhancing the traditional capabilities of government security teams.  

For example, AI can quickly sift through vast repositories of data from all sources, including social media and other communication vectors, as well as facility security data coming in from several different sensors or monitors. Its superfast processing capabilities mean it can detect emerging threats faster than humanly possible, empowering security teams to preemptively neutralize any dangers. AI can even automate much of a team’s threat response, from sending automated alerts to analyzing breaches and automatically deploying countermeasures, like locking down compromised systems or facilities, for instance.  

Beyond crunching the hard data, AI can also scan for patterns visually. For example, in addition to facial recognition, AI-enhanced behavior biometrics can add a further layer of security by analyzing patterns such as a person’s gait or speed to authenticate individuals. No matter the medium–visual, digital, or physical–AI is an intelligent, pattern-finding tool that can greatly transform what’s possible for government security teams.  

#4. Support human security teams

In many cases, using AI can be like having a very specialized staff member on your security team: it can augment security processes, act as an extra (and extra-powerful) set of eyes, and enhance overall security monitoring and response.  

For example, AI can help teams make better decisions via predictive analytics and data-driven insights. By analyzing security incidents and trends to spot potential vulnerabilities or future blindspots, AI can give teams the tools they need to fortify current defenses and prepare for what may come next, as technologies and threats continue to evolve. 

AI can also help teams be more effective and efficient in the moment, providing just the right insights at the right time, so resources can be deployed where they are needed most. In a field where every moment of hesitation or second wasted can lead to a serious security breach or worse, AI-driven insights can help security teams act quickly and decisively in high-stakes, high-stress threat scenarios. 

The potential dangers and drawbacks of AI in security operations

While AI’s sheer processing power and ability to quickly connect the dots can bring tremendous insights, efficiencies, and security advantages to government teams, it still poses a unique set of risks.  

For example, a perennial concern is that of privacy: the potential implications of AI on privacy must be carefully explored and managed in light of current laws and conversations around the subject. 

Another concern is the cost of implementing and maintaining AI systems: this may be daunting for security teams working within the constraints of tight government budgets. Fortunately, there are solutions that can streamline implementation and keep costs at a reasonable level. For example, a well-chosen alarm monitoring platform should be able to integrate new, AI-enabled technology with existing legacy systems so that they work together seamlessly and provide a stronger and more effective security environment overall.  

Finally–and this is relevant to all security professionals, not just those who are already using AI –the risk of adversarial, AI-powered attacks is mounting, and teams will need to find new ways to deflect these dangers. Keep in mind that adversaries also benefit from the very same advantages that AI brings to government organizations: greater efficiency, speed, and effectiveness. That’s a powerful combination whether you’re playing defense or offense. And that means that whether an organization uses AI or not, it will still remain vulnerable to adversaries who do. This may be a deciding factor that forces teams to implement their own AI as a defense against adversarial AI attacks.  

What’s next for government security teams?

The challenge facing government security teams is how to integrate AI effectively while ensuring secure, resilient, and efficient operations. At SIS, we help premier government organizations solve this puzzle and implement efficient, cost-effective alarm monitoring solutions that are right for their needs. We would be pleased to help you do the same: please contact us today to see how we can help.