New SIA guide details importance of audio, intelligent communications in security

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —A new guide by the Security Industry Association (SIA) details the importance of audio and communications for safety and security applications.

The informational guide, Safe and Sound: A Primer on Audio and Intelligent Communications Applications for Security. was developed from SIA’s vendor-neutral technology Audio and Intelligent Communications Working Group, of which Dan Rothrock, President of Zenitel Americas, is the Chair.

The group was created to serve as a catalyst for the intelligent communications sector of the security industry with the goal of researching and providing authoritative information to educate the industry and the public on how audio communications can be used within a risk, resilience, and security program. 

Safe and Sound: A Primer on Audio and Intelligent Communications Applications for Security includes a brief history of audio use in security, the benefits of audio in security solutions, audio technologies and applications, two case studies, legal and privacy considerations, and more. 

The report covers common existing technologies such as intercoms, loudspeakers, and microphones in addition to emerging technologies like gunshot detection and advanced multisensor audio analytics. It concisely presents how these audio solutions are necessary for improving response time, driving situational awareness, and aligning with business goals of optimization and efficiency.

“In today’s risk environment, asking and answering the question ‘Why Audio?’ is more important than ever,” Rothrock said. “It was a pleasure to work on this research and report with SIA and my audio industry colleagues, and I look forward to the future conversations regarding the value of audio in security solutions.”

The full report is available here.