In a world where video clips can be faked, voices cloned, and entire scenes generated out of thin air by generative AI, how do we know what’s real? For the security industry, which relies on video footage, data logs, and digital records to do its job, that question is getting harder to answer.
Physical security systems have come a long way. They’re smarter, faster, and packed with artificial intelligence that helps catch bad actors and analyze massive amounts of data in real time. But here’s the catch: while companies are racing to build better AI into their products, many forget something important — bad actors can also use AI against them.
Deepfakes and forged digital media are getting more convincing by the day. From fake surveillance footage to doctored audio files, the risk is real. And if that fake content makes its way into courtrooms, compliance reports, or incident reviews, the damage could be significant for businesses that rely on digital content and video data (which is pretty much everyone).
That’s why it’s time for the security industry to turn the mirror on itself. It’s not just about protecting buildings and people anymore — it’s also about protecting the data and footage that prove what really happened.
So, what’s the solution? Start at the source.
Instead of trying to spot fake content after the fact, security systems need to be built with content protection baked in from the beginning. Think of it like putting a digital lock on every video file at the point of creation. This means marking footage with its own unique digital fingerprints and creating an audit trail that can’t be quietly tampered with later.
Enter blockchain. With blockchain, each piece of security footage can be timestamped, authenticated, and verified with cryptographic fingerprints on an immutable blockchain ledger that gives security teams confirmation that their video footage is the original version. Add your content’s digital DNA to the mix, and your video becomes AI-resistant with its own tamper-proof ID.
This technology can be used in every corner of the industry. Law enforcement needs solid evidence that will stand up in court. Private security companies want to prove they did their job. And organizations protecting major infrastructure can’t afford to be second-guessed.
But tools alone won’t fix everything. There’s also a need for clear rules. The industry needs to agree on how to measure authenticity and what counts as a secure digital record. That way, everyone plays by the same rulebook.
What’s next? We’re likely heading toward a future where blockchain-based authentication and real-time verification systems become the new normal in security. And with technologies like quantum-resistant cryptography on the horizon, the tools are already taking shape.
In a world where seeing is no longer believing, the security industry has to ensure that what’s recorded is not just clear, but also real.
This blog is based on a contributed article from SWEAR CEO Jason Crawforth for Forbes. Click here to continue reading.
