While security solutions have progressed significantly, they have not yet reached a level where they can entirely replace the role of human security guards. In a recent survey, we saw that more than half of these guards seek better opportunities despite a gloomy market ahead. As wage was quoted as the leading cause of this sentiment, it may be more than just dollars and cents. The underlying physical and psychological toll one endures as a security guard is taxing, and every dollar earned in this condition could hamper job satisfaction or contentment. 

Through the lens of technology, we have developed new ways to explore alternative technologies that can complement existing protocols, namely in the security and construction fields. 

Tapping on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Mesh technology to create ATLAS Link, it fundamentally presents its advantages over traditional security solutions. Having an additional pair of eyes to look over your building and security guard could well mean a more proficient and contented security guard overlooking your building and/or assets. 

What is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Mesh Technology?

BLE Mesh technology enhances the popular Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard, version 4.0 or higher. It is a mesh topology that offers several advantages, including reliability, scalability, cost-effectiveness, security, and interoperability. BLE Mesh technology uses radio frequencies to wirelessly transmit data and involves all nodes communicating directly with each other, eliminating a single point of failure. It also offers a managed flood message relay architecture, allowing the building of large networks with hundreds to thousands of nodes.

Reliable

BLE Mesh technology uses managed flood message relay architecture to ensure multipath communications and eliminate a single point of failure. There is no need for a central gateway or router.

Scalable

The managed flood message relay architecture allows buildings to deploy large networks with hundreds to thousands of nodes. Networks can easily be scaled by adding new nodes or decommissioning nodes as needed.

Cost-Effective

BLE Mesh nodes are battery-powered, making deployment faster and reducing maintenance costs. A BLE Mesh node costs anywhere between low to mid-tens of dollars if ordered in bulk, compared to the hundreds or thousands of dollars per camera for typical security camera solutions.

Secure

Security and privacy are key to the BLE Mesh design, offering a two-layer encryption and authentication process to protect inter-node communications. BLE Mesh security also protects the network against replay attacks. It secures device provisioning using 256-bit elliptical curve encryption, ensuring a secure process of adding or removing nodes to the mesh network. 

Interoperable

BLE Mesh technology allows multi-vendor interoperability, meaning BLE products from different vendors can work together.

Taking advantage of BLE Mesh Technology in various sectors

BLE Mesh technology can be deployed in several scenarios, such as in a built-up indoor environment, warehouse, or underground environment. In a built-up indoor environment, a BLE Mesh tag with a discreet form factor (e.g. key card) can be given to visitors to provide their approximate location and improve visitor management. In a warehouse, BLE Mesh technology can be used to track valuable assets and monitor personnel. 

Warehouses, underground and dangerous environments can benefit from BLE Mesh technology for personnel tracking and monitoring.

In warehouses or offices, BLE Mesh technology can be used to track valuable assets and monitor personnel through discreet forms factors

BLE Mesh technology is a potential solution for indoor security surveillance, offering advantages over traditional security solutions such as reliability, scalability, cost-effectiveness, security, and interoperability. 

Security teams can improve visitor management, asset tracking, and personnel monitoring with their deployment by taking advantage of BLE Mesh technology.