GLOBAL ELECTRONIC SECURITY FORUM
Vol. 1, No. 7 JULY 2025
Page 8
By: GESF Staff Feat: Matt Strautman, Teledyne FLIR
The landscape of physical security is undergoing a profound
transformation, moving far beyond traditional cameras and access
controls. Today, modern sensor technologies —especially those that
use thermal and optical gas imaging— are becoming indispensable
instruments for a variety of purposes. No longer shoe-horned to only
thwarting threats, modern sensors can be crucial in proactive envi-
ronmental monitoring, industrial-operational efficiency, or predictive
maintenance.
According to Matt Stratman, Director of Global Business Develop-
ment at Teledyne FLIR, this change portends a time when security
operations centers (SOCs) would serve as the primary locations for
thorough asset and environmental intelligence.
Stratman emphasizes a burgeoning trend: the integration of diverse
sensor types into existing security infrastructures. While security has
historically focused on intrusion detection and visual surveillance,
the industry is now recognizing the immense value of data points like
temperature.
“A potential early indicator of equipment failure could be a rise in
temperature,” Stratman explains. By incorporating highly accurate
temperature-monitoring cameras into a Security Operations Cen-
ter, organizations can gain real-time data on critical assets, enabling
faster internal responses and potentially preventing costly equipment
breakdowns. This convergence of security and operational monitoring
marks a significant leap towards a more holistic approach to asset pro-
tection and uptime.
The increasing frequency of environmental crises, particularly
wildfires, underscores another critical application for these advanced
sensor technologies. Industries with outdoor equipment, often sus-
ceptible to overheating and sparking fires, are proactively adopting
continuous monitoring solutions.
Strautman notes a growing demand for “[several very accurate
cameras to monitor volatile environments which experience continu-
ous changes in temperature].” Beyond prevention, thermal cameras
are proving invaluable for first responders by offering the ability to
track the spread of fires and detect heat signatures from considerable
distances, even in circumstances where intense smoke and darkness
is present. This example of enhanced capability provides crucial situa-
tional awareness during emergencies.
Perhaps less obvious to the average consumer is the role of
advanced sensing in outdoor gas detection. While handheld optical
gas imaging (OGI) cameras have long been used for “Leak Detection
And Repair (LDAR)” processes, driven by regulatory compliance,
environmental stewardship, or safety concerns, this method can be
time-consuming and limited by on-site presence.
The industry is now embracing a more efficient, proactive ap-
proach. “With a specially engineered fixed OGI camera and advanced
gas detection analytics, companies can simply add this solution to
their existing security infrastructure,” Stratman reveals.
This innovation allows for continuous, automated monitoring of gas
leaks, significantly streamlining environmental, social, and gover-
nance (ESG) activities and enhancing overall safety. Fixed OGI cameras
equipped with sophisticated analytics can detect a wide range of in-
visible gases, providing real-time alerts and contributing to a healthier
environment by minimizing fugitive emissions.
Looking beyond immediate environmental concerns, Stratman
foresees the security industry stepping further into the manufacturing
sector, specifically aiding operational efficiency. Security integrators,
traditionally adept at complex video and access control solutions, are
well-positioned to offer more comprehensive support to manufactur-
ing facilities.
These facilities, rich with critical assets, stand to benefit immense-
ly from consistent monitoring that helps prevent equipment failure
while extending asset lifespan. By leveraging advanced sensors
like thermal and acoustic sensors, manufacturing plants can move
towards predictive maintenance models, identifying potential issues
before they escalate into costly downtime or safety hazards. This
expansion into operational insights positions the security industry as a
vital partner in maintaining industrial productivity and resilience.
The contemporary security sector is essentially rethinking its
function. It is now a vital facilitator of operational excellence, environ-
mental protection, and predictive insight across numerous sectors,
and is no longer only concerned with stopping criminal acts. A future
where security systems offer not just vigilance but also critical intel-
ligence for a safer, more effective, and more sustainable society is
promised by the strategic integration of modern sensors and intelli-
gent analytics.
Matt Strautman, based in Chicago, IL,
US, is currently a Director of Global Busi-
ness Development - Security at Teledyne
FLIR. With a robust skill set that includes
Account Management, Sales, Manage-
ment, Direct Sales, Sales Operations
and more, Matt brings experience from
previous roles at FLIR Systems, BCDVideo
and Seneca. He holds a 2005 - 2009 BA
in Economics and Studio Art @ DePauw
University.
The Evolving Eye: How Advanced Sensing Is
Redefining Security and Beyond