Two way radio is one of the great technological survivors. People have been using handheld wireless radios to communicate for close to a century, and the use of ‘walkie talkies’ has long been prominent in private security.
But in a world where the rapid rate of progress in technology is transforming the way we behave and interact, exposing us to new risks and demanding new approaches to keep ourselves and our property safe – how much longer can two way radio remain relevant?
Brentwood Communications, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of professional two way radio solutions, believes it is as relevant and useful to security services in the 21st century as it ever has. Here it explains why.
Moving with the times
The appeal of two way radio to security professionals has always been obvious – straightforward, reliable, mobile communication. Whether you are coordinating a team managing safety and security at a large event, or an operative out on patrol or carrying out surveillance, the ability to remain in touch with colleagues on the move is priceless. It is through communication that potential flashpoints can be identified and managed. It is through communication that risks to the person can be mitigated.
Yet as the world and its technology has moved forward, so has two way radio. The simplicity of push-to-talk voice has been augmented by numerous innovations that make two way radio a more reliable and useful tool for the security industry than ever.
Brentwood Communications has over the years supplied solutions to countless events security teams – football stadium stewards, festival security, door staff and much more. We found that once digital two way radios began to appear, security personnel were much more satisfied with performance.
Compared to the original analogue technology, digital two way radio provides much wider network coverage and much better audio, with numerous advanced noise cancelling and automatic volume-adjusting options available – perfect for clear communication at loud events.
On top of that, it is the extra features digital technology brings to two way radio which really makes it stand out in security use. GPS location tracking is one stand-out innovation that adds a crucial extra level of safety protection to patrol and surveillance operations, alongside features such as Man Down automated alerts and Lone Worker remote monitoring.
Next generation
Two way radio continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the security profession. Data integration is now a major theme in two way radio development, and security personnel can benefit from controlling remote access systems from their handset, or even having live images from IP CCTV systems streamed to the latest full-screen models.
Manufacturers such as Hytera are even developing two way radio models with built-in HD video cameras fitted, creating a direct synergy between voice communication and body-worn security cameras used for surveillance and deterrence.
Another major trend across all industries is cybersecurity and encryption, and how to keep information safe in increasingly data-led economies. Motorola is one manufacturer that recognises the important implications of this in relation to two way radio, especially in the security profession.
When sensitive information is being shared over the airwaves, it is vital to have robust encryption protections in place, which is why Motorola has developed multikey encryption for two way radio.
