The power of audio security: Safety, transparency and innovation

In this ISJ exclusive, Eve Goode, Digital Content Editor speaks with Wim Van Winghe, Senior Vice President EMEA of Zenitel.

What sets Zenitel’s critical communications products apart from others in the market?

I think about a number of things and first I’d like to start with Zenitel’s excellent audio quality.

At Zenitel, audio quality isn’t optional, it’s essential. It can mean the difference between saving a life and losing one.

We’ve built our reputation on pushing the boundaries of sound clarity, ensuring people can hear, be heard and be understood.

This involves a lot of mechanical components and software elements, but the main part is what we call the ‘zenith of Zenitel’, referring to the company’s superb audio quality.

The second point I would like to discuss is about system integration.

Audio systems must work in harmony with other technologies whether that be building management, access control, video surveillance or fire alarms.

Without this synergy, their value is significantly diminished.

A big focus point for our team and product management team is to ensure perfect and deep level integrations to a multitude of platforms.

The next point I wanted to make was to do with the rise of smart and IP systems. Audio became IP around 10-15 years ago and it’s in full swing right now.

It creates enormous opportunities, but it also raises the need for higher levels of cybersecurity and a bigger focus on our development.

Currently, cybersecurity is embedded in Zenitel’s design philosophy. From development to deployment, our systems are built to safeguard users and data.

Last but not least is Zenitel’s lower total cost of ownership.

We have provided many systems across the past few decades and some of those systems have been on the market or in operation for 25 to 35 years.

When we replace or add new technology to them, we always ensure backwards compatibility so that those systems really give maximum quality to our clients.

I think those are the main points that really set Zenitel apart from other similar companies within the market.

When designing audio monitoring safety systems like intercoms and two-way communication systems, what measures does Zenitel put in place to ensure the product is not invasive?

I think that by design, audio is already perceived by the public as less invasive than other monitoring systems such as video surveillance.

This means that most people consider audio as a tool that is there to help them.

A lot of the systems are used as interactivity tools which means that in most cases the user can go to a point and talk to someone making it a proactive technology.

The second point I wanted to make was that we are seeing more audio technology embedded in other devices. One of the best devices that comes to mind is the ‘Smart poles’ that are found in campuses, parks and public spaces.

Smart poles, equipped with audio devices such as microphones or speakers, offer a discreet way to enhance public safety.

These systems detect anomalies in ambient sound, like a scream or glass breaking, without recording or storing data, preserving privacy while ensuring rapid response.

Another point I wanted to make was about the way our systems can use audio monitoring as a tool. Our audio monitoring is very fine-tuned and there are often misconceptions that audio surveillance or audio monitoring is audio recording, when actually recording is only a very small portion of how this can be used.

When audio is used in surveillance, of course there will be some audio recording and that can be very intrusive and it also needs consent from multiple parties and can only be used in a few scenarios.

We have included what we call smart sound detection into our systems and this is limited to only detect certain sounds. There is no storage of data with smart sound detection as the system will only react when there is a specific sound such as a glass breaking, a scream, a gunshot etc…

Whenever the noise is detected, the system sends an alarm to the surveillance video or to the first responders.

An even lower, completely non-intrusive variant of sound detection is what we call background noise detection.

This is when the systems in place can detect changes in the variation of background noise. This allows the system to act as a tool for safety staff or first responders to have a second look to check the situation, as they can be alerted if there is a change in the audio.

There are many forms of non-intrusive audio surveillance that can be used and enabled by our systems that are really far away from normal surveillance technologies that are available.  

So how do you ensure transparency with stakeholders about where the audio is used and how their data is then handled?

Well, a number of ways. And first of all, part of it is education. We spend a lot of time helping installers, system integrators, security firms, safety first responders on how to use our systems in an effective way.

On how to use our systems in a much, you know, in in in in an effective way, because in the end of the day, technology is only an enabler for a way of working, for a way of keeping public safe or keeping places safe.

Secondly, is about compliancy. One of the key directions for our systems is to be compliant to local and global regulations.

A lot of effort is into this as almost every country has a specific set of regulations, so we always make sure our products apply to all of the laws and regulations.

Alongside this, we also complete the correct training and education, to ensure the system is used effectively.

Protecting data has a big impact that starts from how the system has been developed for instance, with the zero trust and password policies.

At Zenitel, our systems are encrypted so that not just any one is able to get access to a data stream and then put it in another environment or do something inappropriate with it.

A lot of protection comes from transparency around the way we develop our systems.

So can you tell me about a time where audio has prevented accidents or enabled faster emergency response times and improved overall security?

That’s what happens every day and that’s why we wake up to do what we do.

This doesn’t only apply to Zenitel, I believe it applies to everyone working in safety and security.

One powerful example is by talking about SOS help points, which are often the most visible part of our technology.

SOS help points have already provided help and relief to citizens who might not feel safe in public places on a day-to-day basis.

These SOS help points can be found in areas like the underground, the metro or other public spaces.

When traveling from one city to another, passengers will pass by many SOS help points.

The purpose of this system is to provide relief to anyone who may be in danger or in need of immediate help.

Another key example is audio surveillance and smart detection.

For example, these technologies support care staff in hospitals or elderly homes by allowing them to monitor the well-being of their patients in a very non-intrusive way.

This is the invisible, background part of an audio security system, one that provides much broader situational awareness compared to typical surveillance systems.

These systems assist workers who are responsible for a large number of people requiring attentive support.

A recent case I’d like to highlight involves unstaffed gyms located across Europe.

These gyms allow members to enter, work out, use the facilities and leave as they please without any staff members present.

Within these gyms, owners have installed background noise detection systems in the locker rooms to capture sounds such as cries for help or unusual noises, which then alert on-site staff or security personnel to check the situation.

This is another example of how our technology works in the background to enhance safety.

Last but not least, voice evacuation systems are another major part of our business.

Whenever a building catches fire or needs to be evacuated quickly and efficiently, voice evacuation systems play a crucial role.

They provide much greater assistance than a simple siren or beacon. When someone can guide you with clear voice instructions on where to go, it can saved hundreds of lives whenever it truly matters.

What environments are best suited for audio communication tools and why?

I’d say there are typically two broad categories.

The first is public safety with any environment involving large crowds or gatherings. This includes airports, train stations, arenas, stadiums, amusement parks and hospitals.

These are places where our technology is highly effective. In the broader context of public and citizen safety, military sites and equipment are also increasingly investing in audio and critical communication systems.

Given the current geopolitical situation, many governments and authorities are strengthening protection for their countries, borders and critical infrastructure and our systems play a key role in that.

The second category is operational efficiency and safety.

This applies to industrial sites such as energy plants, nuclear power stations, manufacturing facilities and large logistics centres.

In these environments, critical communication systems are used to ensure safe operations, monitor processes and guide or coordinate workers.

They can also be used for audio surveillance when detecting malfunctioning machines or equipment which can often be identified more quickly through sound than through video monitoring, or ideally, by using both together.

How do you see the critical communications market evolving over the next 5 to 10 years?

Looking ahead, I believe audio will become even more intelligent. Audio intelligence will continue to advance through smarter, self-learning and machine-learning audio algorithms.

These algorithms will become increasingly effective at recognising very specific sounds and audio patterns.

Smart audio detection will also become more widespread, implemented in many more locations and devices.

We also anticipate, the unification of critical communication systems.

In the future, there will be single platforms managing all critical communications within a site or building with broader connections between sites, across enterprises and with external responders like first responders and security service providers.

So instead of isolated systems, we’ll see more connected, unified networks involving multiple teams and organisations.

Finally, we’ll continue to see a multiplication of audio devices both visible and invisible.

Smart audio technology will be integrated into a wide range of devices, such as smart poles and other connected systems equipped with built-in microphones, sensors and speakers.

We’ll be increasingly surrounded by intelligent audio systems that are unified, interconnected and capable of supporting safety, security and communication across different teams and sites.

That’s our vision and it’s already beginning to take shape.