A context-aware system using mobile applications and beacons for on-premise security environments

In this paper, we describe a mobile solution for on-premise security monitoring using Android devices and Bluetooth Low Energy beacons. The system incorporates two mobile based applications, beacons and supporting cloud services. One mobile application was developed for security managers to easily configure beacons while in close proximity to a beacon for setting up a route, while the other is for security guards as they perform their rounds. We developed this system in collaboration with a security firm and an industry partner located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. We present the relevant background of work in this area, the architectural framework that we designed and developed to support the system, the applications themselves and a report on the findings of real use test case scenarios involving security managers and guards. Our system was tested in a variety of conditions and performed at an accuracy of 98%, achieved SUS usability scores of 85% and 82% for Security Managers and Security Guards respectively. It provides a low-cost, easily deployed scalable solution for security monitoring in a range of environment configurations.