Audio Matters: How Network Audio Modernizes Security

In the first of a four-part series from SIA’s Audio and Intelligent Communications Subcommittee, Cameron Javdani of AtlasIED discusses how network audio impacts security responses and operational effectiveness.

Network audio is rapidly transforming the way organizations approach security, safety and emergency communication. Once confined to basic public address systems, modern network audio has evolved into a powerful platform that integrates with mass notifications, emergency response tools and physical security systems. From schools and hospitals to industrial facilities and transportation hubs, audio is no longer an add-on. It is foundational to modern security operations.

Historically, security systems relied on different analog technologies: loudspeakers wired to standalone amplifiers, simple bells for alerts and manual paging for emergency announcements. These systems worked, but they were limited in scalability, intelligibility and integration with other modern technologies.

Network audio changes that. By sending audio over IP, organizations can:

• Leverage existing infrastructure: Many IP audio devices can run on existing voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone networks.
• Scale effortlessly: Adding zones, endpoints or speakers becomes a network design task, not a wiring overhaul.
• Improve intelligibility: Digital systems preserve audio clarity, even in large or noisy environments, improving comprehension in both routine and emergency broadcasts.
• Integrate seamlessly with other security systems: Paired with access control and video management systems, network audio becomes a strategic component of a unified security platform.

This transition offers more than technical convenience. It elevates the role of audio from a reactive tool to a proactive security enabler. Integrating network audio with mass communication and security operations platforms enables:

• Immediate broadcast of alerts across devices
• Automated escalation based on predefined triggers
• Multimodal notifications (audio, visual, mobile, desktop, text)
• Zone-specific messaging for precise targeting

Network audio’s impact goes beyond emergency scenarios—it improves day-to-day security responses and operational effectiveness.

Modern audio supports zoned messaging, where alerts or routine messages can be directed only to the relevant area. This means:

• Staff or occupants get only relevant, actionable information
• Noise pollution in unrelated areas is minimized
• Security teams can communicate directly with specific groups without broadcasting to the entire facility

This capability is particularly valuable in complex environments like transportation hubs, where targeted messages can be delivered to gates, baggage claim or security checkpoints without disrupting other areas.  

Additionally, network audio systems improve reliability over their analog predecessors. With remotely deployed analog speakers it was difficult to know when a speaker malfunctioned without someone on site verifying it. Now with device status monitoring and remote diagnostics, devices can be maintained like other network endpoints.

This shift toward managed, network-centric audio mirrors broader trends in technology: IT departments increasingly oversee safety systems, and predictable uptime becomes a key strategic metric rather than an afterthought.

Whether deployed in education, health care, industrial environments or transportation, network audio modernizes security by enabling proactive, integrated and intelligent communication. It moves beyond simple amplification to become a strategic layer in modern security ecosystems, where real-time alerts, zoning, visual integration and scalable architecture deliver better security outcomes.

By embracing network audio as part of a holistic security strategy that incorporates mass notification, coordinated endpoints and integrated IP systems, organizations gain a critical edge in preparedness, response and resilience.

Find more audio resources from SIA’s Audio and Intelligent Communications Subcommittee here.