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The physical security scene is at a pivotal point. Think of it this way: imagine the video security systems you see in movies, then give them a serious tech upgrade with cloud storage and smart tech to make them more connected and super smart. But here’s the catch—this cool tech could also be used to gather tons of personal data, possibly stepping on our privacy toes.
Verkada, a big name in the cloud-based security world, is trying to tackle this head-on. They’re all about keeping people and places safe with their high-tech gear, like AI-powered cameras, smart locks, and controllers that all work remotely. They’re not just in it for the tech though; they’re big on the whole privacy angle too, especially with all the hot debates going on.
Based in San Mateo, Verkada has got a serious rep in the business, bringing over 20,000 orgs into the modern era of security. And they’re rolling out new features that really zero in on keeping people’s identities under wraps and making sure the security footage is the real deal.
It’s a big day for Verkada, with the launch of these fresh features, especially after some side-eyes they’ve been getting because of security hiccups and other dramas. Their balancing act between being innovators and ethical players is sort of a reality check for the security biz.
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Now, here’s the nitty-gritty on the updates from the top guy at Verkada, Filip Kaliszan, in a chat we had. The guy’s got a vision: keep things secure without being all up in everyone’s business. With the new updates, it’s all about not knowing who’s who in the security footage unless you really need to. Their cameras are going to have this fancy blur trick, kind of like those funny filters on snap-and-share apps. Security teams would only get the details if things go south.
Verkada is also adding this neat techy thing called video “hashing” across their devices. It’s like putting a unique stamp on footage so you know it’s legit—it hasn’t been tampered with and is what it claims to be. This is super important nowadays with all the AI that can whip up fake videos.
Filip believes adding these privacy-focused features is a smart move, both for keeping in line with their morals and for getting the thumbs-up from customers who value privacy.
But there’s pushback on how much Verkada’s really putting privacy first. Merve Hickok from the Center for AI and Digital Policy is among those saying Verkada’s changes aren’t bold enough. According to her take, just blurring faces isn’t enough since there’s so much other data that can be used to track someone. Hickok is pushing for tougher laws and harks back to the debates happening over in Europe where they’re really trying to rein in public surveillance.
So Verkada sits at this crossroads, facing different tunes about how tech and ethics play together. There’s Filip on one side, pushing for privacy-friendly security, and on the other side, folks like Hickok skeptical about whether a business can fully respect individual rights given the industry trends.
The stakes are high—the choices Verkada and companies like it make will echo into the future of both data handling and the security industry’s landscape.
Hickok’s stance? We’re on the brink of an ever-watched society unless businesses put a pin in total surveillance and instead advance responsible security practices. That’s where the term “cogent” comes in, as Verkada seeks to improve security measures without tipping the scales towards invasive monitoring. According to Filip, this means brainstorming ways to keep privacy in check, keeping identities closer to home, and processing data locally to prevent the rise of a Big Brother-style watch-over.
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